Creating the ultimate practice routine for guitar. How to practice: EP498

[@donr52]

After literally years of being stuck in almost 100% maintenance mode, I actually anticipated this video by a few weeks. I wrote down a long list of guitar goals for 2023. I divided the list into three categories: Technique Learn to bend accurately and reliably Learn left and right hand muting techniques Learn vibrato Improve my picking speed and accuracy Learn to fingerpick and hybrid pick for rock Repertoire Learn the fundamentals of Alt Country Learn the fundamentals of Blues Learn the fundamentals of Chuck Berry style Rock and Roll Learn the rhythm parts to a ton of REM songs Learn the rhythm parts to a ton of Rolling Stones songs Holistic Gain more left and right hand dexterity and speed Know what's what on the fretboard, which includes scales mastery Begin to establish my own style of improvisation This obviously is much more than a year's worth of effort. In this first week of the year I'm trying to map out quarterly goals, while writing down practice structure for the next few weeks. Great, inspiring video, Brian. It reaffirmed my own sense of what I need to do...

[@cindyziegra2596]

I’m one of the retired ones. Played since I was 11. You have helped me more than anyone.thank you!

[@banjodadaswheel]

Thank you Brian in helping to setting my goals for this year. 1. Surely, get back to participating in the monthly challenges. That includes playing 20 minutes a day. 2. Attack the list you made one by one. In the process, be better in understanding the Blues. 3. Have 12 easy, popular songs as a repertoire, for those awkward times when in a friend and family group people ask you to play something (and actually expect you to play something that they know). Cheers, and wishing you and your family, and the entire AM community a very Happy New Year 🙏

[@Liam_Maddog]

Brian, your sage advice applies to life in general. I hope your viewers are thinking about your message far beyond playing our favorite musical instrument.

[@lindaz-h2736]

You are the Best guitar teacher!! Thank you!!!

[@EZBrewMn]

Spent two years trying to find a teacher like you. Thank you for taking my understanding guitar journey to a 10! Really feel like I'm learning how to play, not what to play. Thanks Brian!

[@ggjindrak]

I stopped playing somewhere in my early 20's when I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands, thumbs, and wrists. At that time I knew a few power chords and could keep decent time, but wasn't serious or disciplined about setting goals and learning. Now that I'm being treated in my 40s, I've built a Tele partscaster (to learn more about that, too) and progressing faster than I've ever did as a teen/20 something. I'm taking a more theory based approach, which has been invaluable. This channel has been one of the best finds, not just for theory and technique, but for great advice like in this video. Eternally grateful. Keep pumping out the great content.

[@boomerdell]

Great lesson, Brian, as always, thank you! Goals: (1) memorize the fretboard fully and completely - I have a decent percentage of it down well, but I really want to have that as programmed knowledge (2) build fundamental techniques - I am still early in my guitar and music journey, and I know I need these to be more solid and subconsciously part of my muscle memory (3) add songs to repertoire (4) build competence and confidence to play with others and contribute positively Looking forward to working hard on these and other worthwhile objectives with Brian, the good folks in the Active Melody community, and beyond!

[@benjieduvall8320]

Great start to the new year! 1. Keep a daily journal 2. Define Maintenance and Discover for the week. 3. At the end of the week, record myself ( with my phone) in a simulated environment performing a set of 10 songs. 4. Review the performance and set goals for the next week. 5. Then repeat. Thank you, Brian!

[@geldeddonkey7320]

Yes the the divide between practise and discovery is crucial for progression (took my years to realise) . As a singer , harmonica , ,keyboards and guitarist is has moved me on. concepts such as the cage system, modes, scales without thrashing them, tirade’s , arpeggios along with song progression and writing some of my own material. Great guitar tutors like yourself cut through the miasma of information and keep you moving ahead.I’m 63 and have played consistently since 30 (first learnt at 10 via several teachers.) Using the net today ,with set goals is the way to go. I just love music , an eclectic of most styles . I see myself as a work in progression and luckily I have the time and facility to do this. thankyou so much for your work Brian , You are amongst the top in your field!🇦🇺 scott

[@johnwashburn3793]

I really cannot see well enough to write things down and read again later. I have mined a few nuggets of pure gold from you this year. Thank you for that. You do explain things so well that I can figure it out.

[@corkbour7708]

I’ve been watching your vids for years, and have grown in my abilities by following them. However this is by far the best yet, for me anyway. While my playing has advanced, I never set any meaningful goal. One that if achieved I could say, I’ve made it, I hit my mark. This vid helped me to re-access my thinking and in the process realize that this is not an easy undertaking. I had to really step back, and in doing so realized my improvements, while good were aimless. Taking your advise I wrote a goal, and while reviewing it began to see that to achieve it there were sub goals I needed to hit first. In the end, having spent close to three hours, I devised a plan that would ultimately lead to my top tier goal. It’s not an easy undertaking, but one that helped me understand that planning in detail is worth the effort you put into it if you are serious about improvements, and I thank you for helping me, and hopefully others on their road to being our best.

[@MCLBC]

Brian, your videos provide the best instruction on the internet. Not only are you a gifted player, but you have the added gift of being an exceptional instructor... 🏆🙏

[@douglascollins3335]

Thanks for posting this. I'm in a rut plating my guitar and bass. This is what I needed. I'm one of the retired people. I'm 71.

[@e-robfield4674]

Thanks Brian.. very clear, interesting story my wife baught me an f hole hofener.. for my 21 birthday.. all thorough my life ,Itried and would get some resault but was always starting back a a beginner.. now 82... I am trilled working and listning to your style of teaching and playing joined you a few months ago.. love to hear the sounds I am getting...and your value is a no brainer.. wow looking forward to share a video.. later Eddy Rob Fild Austraia .thanks

[@fixedrider5912]

Hey Brian, you'll never know how much I needed this RIGHT NOW in my life. Im 65 years old and have been playing for many years. Im in a bit of a slump and needed your "spot on" advice for more productive practice. I did play today. However, I will begin tomorrow morning with a strong cup of coffee and a better plan with specific objectives for practice. Thank you so much!

[@activemelody]

that's awesome!

[@brenthopping34]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. Around 10 years ago, partially due to family commitments, partly from a shoulder injury, I stopped playing. I was looking for a way back in. Although never a good player, where I'm at now seems such a long way to where I was, let alone where I'd like to go. This is a very useful guide to finding my way back.

[@edyu1977]

I can't thanks Brian enough for the improvements his course has done to my guitar playing skills. I've been "playing" guitar for years or at least thought that I had until I joined in ACTIVE MELODY. CAGED tick SCALES OVER CHORDS tick But if I could pick the most important lesson for me it has to be KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! 💯

[@reckless-ramblers]

If you watch many of the great guitar players teaching on KZbin, flat picking/cross picking/alternate picking seems flawless and flowing. Same goes for fingerstyle with steady thumb. Self improvement in these areas is a huge goal.

[@jackschijven8219]

Right now I took your video with the 1357 targets in blues with a minor pentatonic. I wrote out on paper the scales and the triads to see the links and then play starting easy: one chord as backing plus to hear the sounds of the target notes. Then learning to fill up with minor pentatonic notes. That is where I am. I really want to master this soloing in minor pentatonic with chord tones. Your recent video on that was awesome. It is a great basis to have. Thanks

[@AfricanAstro]

Can’t tell you how timely and helpful this video is. Thank you. Just last night, before seeing this, I started writing down my music goals. I called it my musical TRIP as a way of remembering the goals of Theory, Repertoire, Improvisation and Practice. Still have to flesh it out, but thought having a little memory anchor like that is a helpful way to orientate and clarify my intent.

[@SailingGrace]

Love it! I'm now using TRIP as part of my practice map. Thanks!

[@liserobidoux8200]

This was very clear and logical and helpful. My goals for this year: 1. Mastering the barre chords and incorporating them; 2. Committing to a daily 20-30 minutes of genuine, directed practice; 3. Adding in knowledge of scales and modes; 4. Learning a new song weekly. (I recently retired, so this set of goals is manageable for me.) Happy New Year!

[@bdm50]

I've been a member of Active Melody for a few years and my only problem is there's just too much good stuff to absorb. This however, is one of the best informative videos i've seen. Thanks Brian and Happy New Year!

[@llorenzo385]

hey does this program have beginner material laid out? Or do you have to pick and choose?

[@ponderwilu]

It has beginner lessons as well.

[@QBRX]

Yeah, I feel the same. Tough to get a weekly lesson down before there's a new one.

[@donncairns4473]

Great communication skills. It's been 30+ years since I last played and just began lessons a month ago to really learn what I never knew. I really appreciate how good these presentations are.

[@reverendray1]

Happy new year Brian, and thank you; as always for your continued wisdom and knowledge. I have an evolving relationship with practicing; here’s a snapshot of what I ‘d like to achieve in the next couple of years. Most of it will be building on existing knowledge and experience… Guitar Goals 23/24 1. Learn all 7 natural notes on the neck (FGABCDE) -5 minutes 2. Learn all the intervals in two octave (major/minor 2nd & 3rds, 4ths & 5ths, 6ths and major/minor 7ths, (9th, 11th 13th) - 5 minutes 3. Learn all triads in Maj/Min/diminished/augmented (standard and spread) - 10 minutes 4. Learn CAGED Major and Minor Scales; Harmonic Minor - 5 minutes (alternate days) 5. Learn CAGED Major and Minor pentatonic - 5 minutes (alternate days) 6. Learn CAGED Arpeggios of Maj7, min7, Dom7, Diminished 7, Min7b5 and MinMaj7 - 10 minutes 7. Perfect pitch bending - 5 minutes 8. Legato - 5 minutes 9. Learn Chord extensions - 7ths, 9ths, Sus 2, Sus 4. 10. Chord Substitutions and secondary Dominants.

[@thebopper]

My goal in the current year is to develop my technique (accuracy and speed) in my thumb and index, middle and ring fingers in my quest to play in the style of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. And it feels good to define this goal publicly! Other goals are to 1)keep learning musical theory and to 2)learn to play 5 songs (or more, but definitely 5)…

[@portsideguitar1981]

Like what you said about parts sticking. That is what gives everyone who takes up this instrument their unique sound. My goals for 2023 are to get up and play in front of people more. At jam sessions, open mics, and hopefully some gigs with a group I’ve been playing with.

[@charliespeakeasy]

This is great incentive for me right now. I've been playing rhythm guitar for 56 years (you read that correctly) and I've been wanting to make improvements to the way I play and just didn't know where to start. This idea of creating the ultimate practice routine is just what I needed for the next step. My goal is to improve my guitar playing style by adding fill licks between chords and to also apply fill licks (between the chords) to create solos for my current repertoire. I will start with Peaceful Easy Feeling by the Eagles and continue from there. Thank you, Brian!

[@kaetiboanereke3464]

Hi Brian, I wish to thank you for your patience, your creativeness, your incentives in trying to help people like me. I wish I could be part of your premium members but living on an island like this makes it impossible to use bank payment or other bank services that would enable us to go for such things. May be sometime next year we should be to do this. I wish to wish all the best for 2023 and may you continue to help guitar players become better players again in 2023.

[@TheWisendorf]

Fill licks between chords???? Oh I like that one Charlie.

[@chrislehman1343]

My goals for 2023 are to learn all the minor shapes and scales for the CAGED system. To incorporate more triads and modes into my improvisation. To record more of my pratice than I do now. Keep up the good work Brian. I have played for many many years but I realize there is so much I want to learn. Its a fsacinating thing, the more I learn only shows how much I don't know.

[@dougsmith8430]

Hello Brian… Thank you for all you’ve helped me with when it comes to my Guitar playing. I know I speak for thousands when it comes to appreciation for your great teaching approach and playing! Have a great 2023!

[@rrpatriot1584]

SMART Goals from Brian. I love it. Thanks for being such a great inspiration to all of us on our Guitar Journey. 🎸 God bless you in 2023.

[@deanwoolery7066]

My goal is simple and can be tracked. I love to play and sing, so my goal is to play and sing every day of my life. I have always been satisfied with where I'm at, while at the same time I want to understand what I am doing when I play. Music theory is my path at the moment. Singer/songwriter is the ultimate goal. I really liked when you said that "only bits will stay with you to form the player you are." If I never get heard by the public but play and sing every day, I will meet my goal. Thanks for posting this, new member because of this content.

[@MoeJoe974]

Great lesson Brian. I am a long time premium member and have learned so many valuable lessons from you. The goal I’m now working on is to be able to play the chords of the CAGED positions with their corresponding pentatonic and major scales for each. I’ll get there, it’s just a matter of time. I’m a patient man and look forward to enjoying the journey. Thanks again.

[@christhorn4399]

This is to All new guitarist. Watch this first .im an old 72 year old fart that's been playing since 1966 . Completely self tought, l learnt by ear which is great, but when your like me very inpulsive , you no walk before you run . With Brian's videos he teaches you at a good pace .l wish you tube had been around then . A big thanks Brian you are won of the best teachers out there ☮️🥃🍺 From the U.K.

[@Tomas-sg8mc]

Brian, nice lesson. Shows a lot of insight and empathy. You are asking all to be masters of our own guitar fate. So my goals. Practice finding building scales using WW 1/2WWW1/2 and marking them on guitar neck paper graph. 2. Use the scales in the E, D A SHAPES OF THE CAGED- SYSTEM. 3. RELEARN AND integrate the pentatonic part of the scales with “CAGED NEIGHBORHOODS’’. That should do me for the next 6 months. And of course I’ll keep watching practicing your weekly lessons .

[@rayzanko4920]

Hey Brian, After more than a few years of being an Active Melody member and never finding time to play, I finally retired. Your comment about forgetting something I learned a week ago hits home with my experiences. Thanks for sharing your personal frustrations and thanks for inspiring me to move forward with a clearer picture of where I'm headed. Ray Z.

[@ToastandJam52]

My main goal is to constantly expand my repertoire. Typically, I do a warmup/strengthening exercises (I shattered my left arm leaving it weak) followed by scales, etc. I might play tunes that I have recently learnt to make certain that I haven't forgotten anything, then I learn new material I usually learn more than one tune at time. Generally, one tune that is easy, one tune that moderately difficult, and one tune that is excruciatingly difficult. (I just finished learning one difficult tune that has taken me over a year to get under my belt.) Excellent video Brian!

[@matthewcasey892]

My goals are to realise it takes time to learn this stuff. Just because another video comes out next week it doesn’t mean it is time to learn something else. Give myself time and be patient. Be realistic.

[@jamieackley6008]

Hi there. I loved your video. I'm actually an instructional designer and teach instructors how to create measurable learning outcomes/objectives for their courses. It was great to see you apply this concept to practice guitar. Makes so much sense. Thank you again.

[@Stevieboysp202]

Hey Brian, bang on the button yet again, I can relate to all you've said here. I have "practiced" for so many years and feel like I've wasted most of those years because I've fitted around a very busy life, mostly not fitting practice in at all and now many years later, appear to have forgotten most of what I'd learned. It's only in the last few months that I have been able to be regimental with my practicing (every day) and can see improvement, adding new stuff as I go and guess what, some stuff is still locked in the memory bank from 30 years ago, might not sound great, but its in there, but you have to have a goal and a structure. Some additional points noted and brilliantly explained as ever. THANK YOU.

[@markvanhorne3276]

I organized my learning into the following categories: Technique, Knowledge, Ear Training, Composition, Performance, Repertoire, Recording and Production, and Improvising. I'm retired now, so I have lots of time to work on becoming a better musician. To aid in retaining what you learn in "maintenance" mode, check out the "Spacing Effect".

[@gregrollins9731]

I’ve been playing guitar for 10 years and play 10-20 minutes daily, depending on how inspired I am. I also play harmonica which is way easier and intuitive. I watched the Rick Beato interview with Sting last week and am now learning to play Fragile. Beautiful song and super fun to play. This is typically how it goes for me. I learn songs that inspire me and neglect the hard theory stuff. I have many songs that I’m comfortable bringing to jams with friends. I have a looper and in the past year have started using electric guitar with delay and wah pedals. My weakness is definitely soloing. I’ve always had the first position of the minor pentatonic with a couple extensions. In the past month I’ve dedicated myself to learning notes on the fretboard and I am now comfortable moving between three positions of the pentatonic scale. My goals for 2023: intentional daily practice, learning and incorporating the all pentatonic positions, incorporating those over my loops/jam tracks. I use fill licks in many of the songs I’ve learned but another goal is to start building a bank of licks and incorporate those into my solos. Currently I just noodle when soloing. Next, I want to do the above with major pentatonic scale which will be totally new to me. I’ve been dabbling with triads lately and will move onto those once all other goals are met. I’m feeling quite motivated and am confident I can largely meet these goals with intentional focused practice time. Thanks for the timely video. I’m going to write these goals down and get started. Best wishes to all of you on this awesome musical journey.

[@nunca112]

Sounds good but I would advise triads and major pentatonic plus the major scale intervals right now... it'll rocketboost your fretboard knowledge and comping and soloing... go slow and integrate... it's fun

[@gregrollins9731]

@@nunca112 Thanks for the advice. That does sound like fun and I’m sure it will keep me motivated. Cheers!

[@greggonyeau7934]

Amazing summary of what to focus on… looking forward to 2023

[@Hasdarubal]

Really good video. Thank you! 1. Learn about five Blaze Foley songs the way he plays them - say one per week. 2. Get stronger in playing rhythm for Jump Blues songs. I'll try one song per week here as well. Happy New Year!

[@crushedit1497]

In my opinion I think most folks would appreciate a straight practice routine. I think everyone has a goal in mind, learning the steps , chords, scales, arpeggios , triads in a routine would be beneficial to all goals.

[@edwardgordon4309]

Great tips. Every word makes totally sense and follows logically. Thank you 👏👍

[@MollysDad]

Another great and very timely lesson! I am going on a journey in the opposite direction as yours, i.e., I used to "play" the violin, and for physical reasons, had to switch to the guitar. My two biggest problems with the guitar are: 1. you guys mainly teach verbally or by showing, whereas with the violin, it is all written. At the age of 72, it is hard to remember what was just shown on-screen. 2. Connected with that is the fact that it is very easy to measure progress on the violin. For a long time, you sound like fingernails on a chalkboard, and then you move up to chalk on the board! Seriously, though, it is easy to gauge progress, because there are recognized series of books of violin exercise and songs that you can use in both Development and Maintenance mode. I have been using your "prerequisite courses" to help guide my journey, but the notes to this video give me much more direction. Thanks to you, and other youtube teachers, who have given so much of yourselves, and wishing all a Happy 2023!

[@compassrosebushcraft6702]

Hi Brian, thank you for this. I read the book ‘Pumping Nylon’ many years ago. It was about learning Classical Guitar. That author made the same points almost exactly. Sadly I was very young and had forgotten that teaching until this video. As the New Year starts I will be trying to be more organized or perhaps ‘intentional’ in practice. (Too, I am about to retire for the second time 😊). Something that helped me recently when I was discouraged, was remembering what it was like to learn how to read. I remember the ‘see…spot…r…u..n…see spo…t…jump… It was all individual words, and sometimes letters, with no real phrasing. As I became more familiar with reading, I started to be able to read ahead, and then read punctuation, find phrases, anticipate movement and emphasis. That seems to be where I am at in my musical journey. Playing individual chords/notes one at a time, getting good at it, but it is not necessarily music…yet…but slowly I am learning to read ahead, pause, create phrases, and create meaning with music. Thank you for this reminder and the encouragement. I love that you share some of your musical struggles and journey too. Very meaningful for the likes of me and I am sure others. I have not had a teacher before who was as transparent and honest about the challenges of learning music. Thank you, John.

[@johnw5734]

Minor pentatonic all my life so I need to get as good in major. My goals are major diatonic scales, major pentatonics, and major arpeggios structured into riffs in any key without hesitation.🎸

[@bungalowbluesman]

Thanks Brian, great advice. My ‘block’ seems to be in actually defining my goal. Pinning myself down. I just seem to drift. I may, as a result of this video, force myself to commit to SOMETHING specific. Thank you for your guidance. 👍🏻

[@charliespeakeasy]

That's like my situation.

[@americojurca6380]

I guess I've already said : this guy is the best teacher here.

[@-Pol-]

The analogy I was given is that if you follow the same path through vegetation every day you will eventually wear it in so that it becomes established. However if you walk the path just once a week it soon becomes overgrown again. The same goes for establishing neural pathways in the brain. You will learn much faster from Daily 1/2 hour practice than from a weekly 3 1/2 hour Sunday session 🤓

[@-Pol-]

​@active_melody1 - ⁉Ooh! - Okay well I'd just add that practicing a half hour in the evening before I sleep and then again in the morning when I get up seems to work really well for me. I used to meditate but opted to invest the time in an extra pre-sleep practice session instead. It seems to clear my brain of most of its gabbling (except the music, which is fine)

[@paraflightjoe1053]

1/2 HR' JUST got u going. Fingers exersized. IDK

[@-Pol-]

@@paraflightjoe1053 1/2 hour sessions are just what I commit myself to minimum. It invariably extends to at least 40 mins and often exceeds an hour. I'm just a hobbyist. My ex however was a pro pianist and would practice all day and then teach in the evening. Different priorities!

[@jimtaylor2725]

Thank you for this. The suggestion list you talked about is what I searched the lessons page yesterday to get out of the rut I feel I’m in. I’m trying to find a way to learn the notes on the fret board so I can make the triads where ever I need to make a cord. That’s my goal for now. Thanks for the content you put out there. Jim

[@bungalowbluesman]

now that’s a good goal. 👍🏻

[@Bill-se4gr]

Excellent topic. I find that if I focus on your many “play alone with no backing track” lessons in a variety of styles is the most helpful and productive learning approach for me.

[@MrYatesj1]

Loopers are great then you can play the song and play over the top of it

[@mikenbetsymorehousenichols8447]

As a former teacher I know you are right on in defining a practice routine.

[@sujitliddle7308]

👌A couple of points: 1. Keep your guitar accessible. If it is a chore to bring it out of it's case etc. you won't pick it up as often as when it is within easy reach. Safety first though, eg. protection from kids and pets. 2. Check your tuning. Nothing drains your enthusiasm as quickly as a guitar that is out of tune.

[@2000saylv]

Thanks for the motivation and the vision. Very helpful.

[@scouser2230]

Brian, I am 73 and I already have a reasonable ability playing the open chords. I am now working on soloing using the Pentatonic scale. I particularly enjoy playing the blues. I needed to figure out how to record backing tracks and I ended up finding them on various KZbin sites and I saved them in my favourites, and then researched what free software was available to back them up on my laptop. I selected Audacity, and it has been great. There are also lots of Audacity tutorial videos on KZbin, which makes it easy to learn to use it. I might suggest that there is a real need for a good teacher like yourself to help beginner guitarists understand the process that I researched for myself. I initially explored KZbin and could not find a video that covered this subject. I predominantly work on my electric guitar in soloing and it is lots of fun. I do enjoy your videos and l hope you don’t mind my comment.

[@waltseale]

i had the same issue. I bought a ditto looper (a fairly inexpensive and simple to use device). It was better for me to make my own backing tracks.

[@JiminTennessee]

Looper!!!

[@ArtStiefel]

🎸🎸Great video for kicking off the new year - or anytime that's right to make a plan. Thanks!🎸🎸

[@hugoarend4743]

I’ve learned so much from your lessons!!! Thanks a lot! Amazing content. I agree 100% on the writing down what one’s goals are. It really works! I’ve done it with your lessons: “I’ve got to learn this piece by the end of the week and improve it by the end of next week!” It really works and it’s measurable. Great piece of advice… Keep’em lessons coming! 🤘🏼

[@bertytrek]

Always have a plan is the best way to improve everything in your live, but you are right. Most of us pick up the guitar and play without a roadmap. Thanks for remember me that. I´m going to set my plan right now. Happy New Year

[@curefan28]

I like to be working on all of these in some way in parallel: 1) Something with technique, 2) Something with theory/chords/scales, and 3) Learning/playing songs. Those are broad categories but I think covers it well. For example, specifically right now I'm working on 1) picking techniques, 2) blues chord voicings, and 3) learning and tabbing Prince's superbowl performance of Purple Rain. I don't work on all of this every day as I'm really busy with work and family but I try to get my hands on the guitar every day. Even if it is for 10 minutes waiting for my kids to finish getting ready for school. If I'm lucky I might get to spend an hour at night doing all 3 areas in a day.

[@scoggers1628]

The use of S.M.A.R.T. goals: (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time bound) is really important for making, analysing and measuring progress. e.g. by the end of this month I will be better able to i) improvise using the minor pentatonic in the key of Eb including ii) vibrato and bends in the style of SRV.

[@KimRadlo]

This was/is valuable. Aside from practice time and/or setting out to learn particular tunes, I've never thought about setting goals for guitar. I'll do it. Thanks Brian!

[@activemelody]

Thanks Kim :)

[@Vocela]

This is really brilliant, Brian, thanks. All the challenges you talk of - it's good to hear that it's kind of normal, and what to do practically to get past them. And, I love that you''ve started the fiddle. Yes, it's really hard - and very brave of you to record yourself!!

[@williamworrell178]

Your lesson is about teaching the best ways to learn. Love it

[@williamhuth4441]

Brian, thanks so much for this goals video. I’ve been a member with Action Melody appx. One year. My previous was a very bad guitar as I could never keep it in tune. Now I have a Mexican Martin which plays beautifully and stays in tune very well. I’m very encouraged now especially with your goals video. That’s exactly 90% of my problem. My goals, as requested, are to learn the scales and play one hour every day. I’ve been plateaued. Thank you!

[@fearlessfreddy1000]

Thank you for the encouragement that you shared. Each of us needs a nudge once in a while. As a retired person I need to know where all this "extra time" went (;-- )

[@markcafebrown2883]

My current goals as a new guitarist is learning all the notes on the fretboard, strumming patterns w/metronome, scales with saying the note name and note the number, and triads. I’m doing this routine for 3-6 hours a day 7 days a week and for maybe 30-45 minutes learn a blues lick. I used to play a bit so I know all my chords but haven’t played in 16 years do to kids and my wife’s daily migraines but kids are in mid teens and wife is better and I’m retired at 48.

[@stevestrang480]

Brian. First of all I love your channel. My first goal is to completely learn 5 acoustic and 5 electric lessons. I learned the acoustic Layla solo and that does stick. I’d like to have a repertoire of 20 songs and gig someday. Also, a comment- I followed Stitch and his improvising involves finding flat 3rd, major 3rd, perfect fifth, flat 7, blue notes. You don’t go there with us. Maybe you think it’s too advanced but it can be applicable to improving.

[@edgardner7025]

Thank you Brian it's amazing information I mean I've been playing for too long the wrong way Tuesday night jams with my friends I just learned songs never cared about anything else till I found your station thank you

[@timothyburns848]

This video is exactly what I needed, I’ve been playing guitar for a couple of years now and I’ve got to the point where I’d like to learn how to improvise over tracks and solos etc. but I just didn’t know where to start, so this has been really helpful for me and I’ll have a look at all the videos you suggested, thankyou 😊

[@ARM317]

I'm a Covid player who hasn't progressed much beyond chords, scales, and some theory. I definitely like playing the melody of songs vs. just the chords. I think my biggest blocker is barre chords and trying to use backing tracks to expand beyond the comfortable maintenance items I've learned.

[@johnwhite3855]

As an old guy playing guitar for over 60 years, I have learned the value of doing some warm-ups for my hands. I run chromatic scales.

[@jayskateandsuchstuff8446]

Awesome. Thanks! I needed this. I literally said to someone today that I’m spinning my wheels playing randomly and not really accomplishing anything, I need to pick a direction.

[@douglaschristine8387]

One of my goals was to get callous on my fingers for my steel string Yamaha acoustic. Next was learn barre chords and it took a good six months just for all the strings to ring out. These were my beginner goals. Then soloing, phrasing. I spent a year learning songs.

[@jfiore911]

Thanks for this Brian. I recently started playing again, got a new guitar, and am really enjoying it in retirement, especially your videos, very inspirational. The situation I have like many others is "drinking from the firehose", there is so much available on KZbin. This video and the list of areas and videos are a welcome method to get organized and make some progress. Thanks for your dedication and help!

[@jonathongahimer5496]

Great lesson, and timely as we reflect on the past year and look forward to the next. I attend a weekly jam session (mostly classic country) and my goal is to be able to play a modest improvised solo over typical major chord progressions. I’ve watched a lot of Active Melody videos over this past year, and signed up for the annual premium membership, which I believe will be a great tool to help me achieve this goal. I’ve been working on triads, and will focus on arpeggios and major scale patterns in the months ahead. Love all the great content and really appreciate your teaching style.

[@isaelmani]

Superb summary how to learn efficiently. 👌

[@emblad]

Thank you for this Brian. I get your emails, and become a bit overwhelmed by them sometimes. In fact, 70% of my "unread"emails, are ones from you that I save and hope to come back to. So my resolutions are as follows: 1) actually go through and try to learn one of your videos every week. 2) for focused practiced, I really want to be a better rhythm guitarist to be able to jam along. So for that, my challenge is to really understand the chords in a key, and train myself on the intervals to be able to play along (chords) with any song I hear. (doing solos is, of course, a whole other song). And then, of course, transpose to any key if my singer needs to change it. A video on how to find the root, and then quickly figure out the chords to any song, would be much appreciated. thanks for all you do!!!

[@doughipp6415]

Best guitar lessons anywhere.

[@fredbloggs8072]

I think it's true to say that if you want to become really good at something (anything at all, not just guitar), you need to practice every day.

[@scott5411]

You have brought me from cowboy chords to playing and singing songs - I have always loved your approach....thank you

[@denisechetty4019]

Brian thank you for your hundreds of wonderful lessons😊 and the great time you've been giving me with learning and exploring my guitar and playing the Blues🎸!!! I won't ever stop! Happy new year to you!

[@TheWisendorf]

Right now I do not have an end time long time goal, But I do have a big todo list. I want to learn it all, but I realize certain things I can not do very well.. Seems that on youtube you learn a little about everything and not a lot about any one things. Truth is that I am my worst enemy. I believe in my heart that I can do most anything, But am I willing to pay the price? How bad do I want it? So right now I can not really choose amonst my many short term goals. And listening to Brian my list of stuff I know I have to do just getting bigger every day! So in the end I am just putting one foot in front of another and trusting in Brian to be leading me in the right paths. As we speak I am searching the internet for the best teacher for myself. And I think I am about to choose the right one..enough of jumping around like a kid in a candy shop. I see Brian as more of a meat and potato kind of guy. And not once have I felt like he was just filling me with hype just for the money.

[@gcharb]

This is great, thanks for the motivation to make a plan. I've been an Active Melody member going on 3 years now and really love your lessons. I'm about to turn 55, not retired but I do have a good amount of time now that the kids are off on their own. I've been playing on and off most of my life but like many I am easily distracted and have trouble focussing on one skill or concept with the guitar long enough to really make it stick. I would love to solve this and maybe your suggestion of writing down goals etc. will make a big difference. Thank you Brian!

[@robertfkaz7013]

Great points about practicing. I’m looking forward to retiring one day so I can have a regular practice schedule with hopefully less responsibilities. I find that for people with busy lives like me it’s good to take simple ideas once a week and work on them daily. Thanks for all the great lessons Brian. Keep them coming. You’re a great teacher!

[@nixternal]

Great advice, so thanks for that Brian. I really need to do everything you said, and I have written down my goals. I really need to start bench-marking for sure, ie. recording & journaling. Here are my "Achievable Goals" - (Discovery) Improvise/Solo across chord changes; (Discovery) Arpeggios; (Discovery & Maintenance) Ear Training; (Discovery & Maintenance) Triads; (Maintenance) Clean Barre Chords; (Maintenance) Clean Chord Changes; (Maintenance) Clean & Fluid Strumming. Hrmm, I've seen a lot of this "Bullet Journaling" on the interwebs, might be a good time to start being a bit more serious & a lot less noodle'y with my practice. My old way of practicing left me bored at times and I would just quit practicing and "oh look, a squirrel" if you know what I mean.

[@nixternal]

Wow, this just showed up in my recommends and see what I said last year. I didn't complete soloing across chord changes not using minor or blues scales. Ear Training and skimped on unfortunately. I set my goals and never really developed a practice strategy to achieve them. This year I have changed that. I have spent the past week formatting my practice routine to match my goals. Broke Yearly in to achievable Quarterly goals that are then broken down in to monthly then broken down in to weekly goals. I set to many goals last year that were to far spread apart from one another. This year I have 3 Main Goals. 1) Rhythm Perfection (strumming, chord changes, and fingerstyle - have all the exercises lined up for the first few months), 2) Ear Perfection (singing chord changes, scales, intervals, and a weekly goal of transcribing 1 song & 1 melody/riff/solo), and 3) Learn 40 Songs, minimum (2 "Campfire"/easier tunes per month, 1 "Developer"/harder song per month, and 4 "Dreamer"/super hard songs per year). Maybe this will be recommended next year & I will see if I passed or failed my goals. I am switching to 100% analog for my practice with planning and journaling it. Cheers! Happy New Year!

[@cliffzalis]

Excellent advice and direction. You're a good teacher Brian. "It takes one to know one". And yes, for me too about writing things down. I think of journaling which to me has that common ground with music, a doorway to one's true self, connected to "the field".

[@jfrayed1]

Maintenance Mode hell, that's where I've been for a while. I start each day with good intentions and quickly resort to MM. Thanks for the direction!

[@mykneeshurt8393]

I make flashcards with new chord shapes I am working on. If it is very new or complex, I work on it for one minute at a time. Then move onto the next thing I have on my list. As I slowly work on these new chords, it gets easier to do them for longer than one minute. But I find , focusing for a short amount of time, on complex things, reduces the frustration levels.

[@PalaceFan]

Great advice, thanks for all the recommendations. Will really help me build up my plan for the next day, week, month, year!

[@tedspence5047]

Thanks Brian, this is what I've need to concentrate on. Like others, I'm old. I've been doing things the wrong way, without a plan, just playing the same old stuff hoping to get better. Lose interest for a little while, then come back & start again. Thanks again, for this lesson!

[@michaelwitherspoon826]

My next goal is to improve my rhythm playing, specifically the right hand. Measured by being able to accurately target individual strings, double stops and triads while maintaining a steady, consistent strum pattern.

[@griviere42]

I have another advice for people practicing with ActiveMelody : watch the full video before practicing (without any instrument) to understand the context, to focus on the "why" before going to the "how"

[@steveavant9727]

This is perfect, I’m trying to set goals for improvement in 2024 and this provides guidelines. Thanks, Brian.

[@marcogozzi2631]

First of all thank you Brian for all your valuable lessons. I have been thinking about the way to practice in a more effective way in the last few weeks, and this video taught me exactly what I needed to do!

[@julieb7635]

Happy New Year Brian, Goals are to - gain speed - caged system and learning my fretboard better - 6 challenges Thank you for your lessons, content and videos!

[@TeriScheinzeit]

Wow. Thanks for this great list of lessons. So helpful. Also, loved the how to practice info.

[@dnluc9]

Your list is my practice routine, I'm a strong rhythm player/singer, however I like finger style blues and improvising along with getting better with fill licks in my rhythm playing, for example during a break of a song....spicing it up, not totally lead but a combination of, because these days I perform without a band. Happy New Year!! Thank you for all you do!! ❤!