Forget Talent! THIS Is What Guitarists Really Need

Talent is overrated. Don't feel discouraged if you feel like you weren't born with some form of natural musical ability. Let's talk about a few things you should be focusing on instead of talent, that will guarantee long-term continual and sustainable progress in your guitar playing.
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guitar practice tips, guitar practice habits, classical guitar lesson, fingerstyle guitar lesson

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Want to learn how to create your own classical and fingerstyle guitar arrangements? Get started by taking my free training, "Fretboard Freedom", where I teach you how to find and play chords anywhere on the fretboard: beyondtheguitar.com/get-started/

[@natepark2973]

"It's not easy but it is simple... and it is so worth it." I love that quote. I'm gonna go thru that fretboard freedom right now.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Yes! Let me know how it goes

[@mr.thomas6348]

You got this, my man!

[@AaronWillmon]

I have been saying this for years. Telling me I am talented discredits all the work I put in to be good.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

And you do put in the work, my friend. Keep it up

[@prandallwright1]

Thanks! Very encouraging....especially for this 76 year old who recommitted to classical guitar a couple years ago.

[@elizer1878]

"In the long run, hardwork and consistency wins over talent everytime". Wow. I been playing and playing the same arrangement on my guitar for over a month. I just realized there is this fear that I might just frustrate myself in learning new arrangement and not be able to play it beautifully like the "talented" ones. Thank you for this nathan! I choose to be the skilled one who works hard to finish their craft. Im gonna start my consistency in practicing and honing my skills in arranging music. Cheers!

[@evantaucher]

My talent is loving the guitar in a way that I don’t get bored of it!! That’s it!! :D

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Haha that's legit! That's definitely worked out well for you, my friend. And I know how much work you put in

[@pumpdelicious]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I found it at the right time and it has made a difference in my life. I appreciate it.

[@eriknorberg6154]

Hi Natan! I am one of those who can't consider myself 'talented' when it comes to music, but on the other side spent so (so...) much time 'trying' to learn to play the guitar, especially after I got retired, the same occasion as I suddenly got the time I always wanted to have to play the instrument of my obsession, needless to say: 'the guitar'. I have been fighting and struggling with this object and with the 'thing' coming out from the instrument, based on a false argument from Beethoven, who claimed that to play music the only thing you have to do is hit the right key at the right time before I realized that he was ironic. When I found you on the YT I suddenly, and especially in this video, realize that everything you say is coming from a bottom of pure wisdom and that this wisdom is what I have been searching and longing for during a lifetime of 72 years, at the moment. I think you are a great guy!

[@freakgamer5619]

I have been playing fingerstyle guitar for 5 years. I have always made excuses to make my own arrangements. I don't know why but it I was scared of arranging my own songs, so I just copied others. A month ago I started to really get tired of playing other people's arrangements and so I started taking lessons on music theory and watching your videos. That fretboard freedom lesson is really simple, however I cant believe how much of an impact it made on me. Today I finally completed my first fingerstyle arrangement, and even though it might not be super complicated I still love playing it because it is natural and it came from my mind. Thank you Nathan, these series of videos are really helpful, not only to beginners but also intermediate/advance players like myself. Most of the times, all we need is a little push.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

YES! Love to hear these stories. You should be proud of yourself. Pushing yourself to ignore those doubts and fears and finally complete that first arrangement is a BIG deal. Now go make another one ;)

[@freakgamer5619]

@@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy Yess!!!! Thank you

[@iamdoctor7579]

Aw! This is so wholesome I’m happy for you and a thank you Nathan from me too :)

[@pedrospective]

You're the Matt D'Avella of Classical Guitar

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Do you consider yourself a "talented musician?" If not, did this video encourage you? Leave me a comment!

[@longtrang5706]

No everything has been 110% work, it helps I have had a guitar neck in my hands the majority of my life. Thanks to KZbin channels like you I am actually progressing.

[@harisankar2688]

Don't get me wrong. Talent does exists. But it only helps you make your first few steps easier. The rest of the progress is purely skills that are developed over the course of time with daily deliberate and mindful practice. Talent makes the introduction easier but to gain any substantial proficiency on any field, hard work is a must.

[@MJ-pv6ks]

I gotta admit this is my favourite Channel on youtube. Phenomenal.

[@rrahmanian]

You're such a talented teacher too.

[@neemiasamaral630]

I used to think that i wasn't really talented for writing arrangements, but after watching some of yours videos, i actually tried, and i finally posted my first arrangement, isn't completely done, i want to improve it, but I'm very proud and very thankful to you.

[@sudeepmallik6030]

I can't stress enough how much I needed to hear this from someone else. I've been playing the guitar for 12 years and I've put in so many hours and so much effort into it and when someone says "You're so talented" or something along the lines, it lowkey pisses me off even when I know that they meant it in a good way because it feels as if they've completely disregarded the months and years I spent learning a particular technique or song. I always say "It comes with practice. It takes time. You can do it if you actually want to" but its harder to explain so I just accept the compliment. Hardwork can always beat talent. Saying "You're so talented" is just a way out of practicing and doing it yourself.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Now you can just forward them this video every time and let me be the bad guy that informs them of the error of their ways ;)

[@andrewclack4881]

LIFE GIVES US ITS MOMENTS AND FOR THOSE MOMENTS WE GIVE OUR LIVES

[@KevinQualls]

Nathan, what an encouraging message. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Thank you so much!

[@joshforbesguitar1866]

Super inspiring. I consider myself naturally gifted. Your comment about hitting the talent limit and the feeling stuck hits hard. Talent only gets people so far. Those who work hard and show up everyday are the ones that succeed and make it look "talented".

[@knightsilver065]

what you said is true. Please keep making tutorials.

[@joshingente7726]

Hey Nathan I'm really thankful for your fretboard freed lesson

[@bluffhavenstudios]

Thank you. I needed to hear this today

[@mindfulstudio6603]

Words that guide those who seek the beauty of music and set them free. Thank you Nathan! I'm saving this one to share with my kids.

[@Zazulastudios]

Thank you for creating this video. I am currently in my undergraduate degree for guitar performance and I resonate with everything you said. I'm not talented, but I work hard and push myself everyday to achieve what I can do on my guitar. I've had break downs in basically every year for various different reasons and stayed up way to late working on my music.

[@gsl2005]

Finally got a video that I can send to my friend, who is learning ukulele. The voice of yours is enough to inspire somebody 👍 Keep going!!!!!

[@marceldominic]

Thank you for sharing. I needed this right now.

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

Lol I love the Sam Griffin plug. Also, totally agree that hard work and consistency matter most in any worthwhile pursuit.

[@elsalves]

Amazing speech 👏🏻👏🏻 totally agree with this work is everything

[@theunknowndude8878]

Thank you for making this video. My cousin was my idol when I was younger and he’s the reason I got into playing guitar but I always wanted to be able to play like him. I always thought he was talented and I’d never be able to play as good as him because I didn’t have that talent. But I forgot that he’d stay up late playing and practicing til his fingers bled on a few occasions. So again thank you for making this video. It made me want to practice even more to become a better musician.

[@evantaucher]

Dude soooo awesome. Love the intro, and the points you made.

[@ArabicGuitarClick]

I am with you 100%.

[@rdcoupal]

Very inspirational, thank you Nathan. Makes me want to put in more hours of practice when I feel I'm not making any headway. Just maybe, there is hope for me and I can actually do this.

[@garyholden6371]

I'm impressed great video I'll save this video and watch it when I need Motivation Thanks.

[@nickowen1480]

Thanks mate

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

Find the zone and home in on it... i have to go and zone into my tremelo! :D

[@tkabiranik]

Practice is all we need.

[@ericsplicer]

Well said and totally agree with your point of view as I am a music lover but when it comes to play any instruments that I learned ,I put up 4x amount of time to practice to achieve the level of someone who does better without all the hard work that I layed in. Tks for encouragement.this video is by far the best one I ever seen on KZbin about learning guitar because it is not just about that, it is the mine set for the consistency of carrying on the practice. Tks and God bless you.

[@andytheindividual3862]

Bro!! Whats up! Love the message and also your Solo message too!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

thanks!

[@franelisei4158]

Loved the video Nathan! Thank you! They are really useful and inspiring to keep learning and playing. Keep it up!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

glad to hear that fran!

[@uj8719]

Just the dose of motivation I needed today. Progress in classical guitar can be very frustrating. It's natural to think sometimes that you're just not cut out for it. But it's important to stay consistent when you hit a roadblock. Thank you Nathan.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

We've all been there. You got this

[@lucabarchiesi5321]

4:59 Man, back in 2017 I was an electric guitar player and besides playing that type of guitar and some chords I had never approached the classic one. One day I saw your cover of the Dragonborne them and I said: "No way, I need to learn this!" I started playing it and in a few weeks I was able to play the chorus. It was really satisfying so I kept on searching for songs that I could be able to play. Nowadays I really improved my skills and the most recent success is that I managed to play your cover of the God of War theme. The next step is to learn the tremolo so that I can finally complete your skyrim cover. Anyway I would had never be able to play classic guitar and reaching an intermediate-expert level if it wasn't for you! Thank you so much Nathan!

[@vishy1992]

I have really been contemplating stopping guitar the last few weeks. Feels like after 2,5 years I have nothing to show for it. Im having weekly lessons yet I still feel like I am not any better, than I was a year ago. This vid gave me a much needed dose of reality. It was inspiring. Thank you!

[@SahanSandeepa]

The best video ever I watched on you tube. 👍👍

[@Gamling1888]

Hey Nathan! Just read Anders Ericsson’s ”Peak”, great book for anyone with a dream of mastery. There’s a section about talent. I have been falling out with the guitar almost completely because of ”reasons”:) want to get back with arrengers academy soon. But to not loose it all I want to at least play and progress in the for me easiest way possible. Our friend Sam Griffin posted a video about the 8 pieces that made him sick at guitar:) those pieces are great, but i don’t really have an urge to play any of them. So there’s a thing i wish you could do for us(me), do a list of arrangements you have made that can be used to practice and learn different techniques and order them from easiest to hardest. I would be pumped for a list like that! When i’m having a difficult time pushing forward with guitar the one thing i feel i can still do is learn songs and use it to practice technique. Would be really cool, you could use it to sell some sheet music;). Thank you for your effort!

[@GuitarFable]

agreed 100% with you !

[@Guitarharmonics]

even with inherent ability, you have to put in the time and effort to improve the learning of an instrument, or the learning of sketching and painting of a still life or landscape.

[@joshingente7726]

This video really inspired me to continue

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

get ittttt

[@TurkmapMinecraft]

Hi thanks for another great video, Would you think to do a video on nail care 101 for guitarist (how to rasp, some tips etc.). Because I think there are no good videos on this topic, and I want to learn about it. Thanks 😊

[@davidcook3795]

I agree 100%.

[@lucastarifa1448]

I Could not agree more. Those who do beautifull music, all of them, studied a looooooootttttt. And that's all about it.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

yup!

[@nandansingh6117]

I can relate to you or atleast I understand because since I started practicing I see constant failure and not getting what I want. I see improvements but they are very slow. I had been discouraged several times and kept coming back doing that tedious practice, this is true for any discipline. And the fulfillment is great actually!

[@joshingente7726]

You're really talented nathan🤣

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

;)

[@MrGjerdalen]

talented speech

[@soliduscell]

Yes! This is eloquently put. I've always had an odd sort of beef with that word being thrown around. I've debated with my harpist all the time who says I'm the talented one of our duo and I just point out I've been playing my instrument for almost 20 years, she's had only 4. *Side note* I also commented about that "gnarly" F# chord (Tab low to high= 246200) in your favorite chords video and yeah just gotta say it is not easy to grab that chord on the fly- only one of my friends can even come close. I start a song or two with it though or else use it in duet where I don't have grab the whole thing.

[@GuitarSVD]

Cannot agree more! I'm definitely not talented, and am still trying very hard to improve every time after arranged more than 60 covers, with each cover took me more than 2 weeks to arrange XD.

[@oscarlycissy]

Great video Nathan! Many important insights there! I agree with everything you said. By the way, I followed the link to your fretboard freedom page and submitted my email address, but no email for the training content came my way!

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Thanks! You must've already signed up a while back. It won't send again if your email address is already registered. Send me an email to [e-mail] from the email address you tried signing up with and I'll get you in.

[@oscarlycissy]

@@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy Many thanks! Will do that now.

[@simonoliver8584]

I really like the fretboard freedom, but I got some problems with the spacing of fingers....and some shapes as well

[@toituxu749]

Hard-working and dedication decide everything in long-term As a beginner, I totally understand what you're saying May be the simple thing is to keep working, find out new ways to solve your problems Time pass and what will be will be

[@aiguwuski1954]

I admit I was thinking I could never be good enough at guitar to play some musics I've seen. I use as an excuse that I've started guitar way too old (20 yo) or that my fingers are too small or not fluid enough. But yeah, if you say that it's a matter of work, I have no excuses now and this is very very encouraging , thank you for those words, I'll keep on working since I'm just getting started on that journey!

[@felipezepedastolzenbach7600]

We all feel the same when Sam Griffin plays the guitar... It's okay bro

[@nikipalla]

I really, really relate. Except with art haha! I've been drawing since I was four and my entire life has been "your'e so talented!" but i've been training this entire time. I especially feel what you said when you wanted to smash your guitar pahah! I get it.

[@latavernedeloracle3007]

What a lovely truth ! The talent doesnt really exist in art (music, writing, dance, paint)

[@marquitalawson68]

I totally agree with you. I have a question: What do you suggest (musically) for a person with only 1 upper extremity who wishes there was something (type of instrument) on which to create some sort of music? (Asking for a Previous guitar player and now a current Stroke patient.) Thanks.

[@sethferguson7365]

Hey bro are you done with the podcast? I actually really miss listening to it.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Hey Seth. Unfortunately yes, at least for the time being. I'm so glad a few of you were really enjoying it. But we weren't really sure what direction to take the podcast and weren't getting too much interest overall, so we decided to push pause and go back to the drawing board.

[@sethferguson7365]

Ah ok. Kinda makes me sad. Good luck in the future though!

[@athulavidanagama5751]

Your so talented men 😂

[@hadriscus]

Harsh ? I feel you're almost sugarcoating it ! "Natural abilities" pave the way (or "makes the potting soil" as we say) for a fruitful study but certainly don't replace it. It's crazy to think how much of our lives is determined by a choice in words. Replace talent with skills, or competence, dexterity, experience... and suddenly it seems like it's within your reach! And there's the tipping point. I have heard the same remark my entire life. Although I always understood where it came from (as you say, "from a good place"), and it felt good and encouraging, I couldn't help but feel like it wasn't giving justice to my never-ceasing work. I'm in illustration... I draw things. I never got that with my music yet, hehe. Not talented enough I guess! So did you actually fall asleep on your guitar or was it a figure of speech ?

[@hadriscus]

I just wanna add that was very inspiring. Thanks Nathan !

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

Oh yes I quite literally fell asleep on my guitar many times. Although, anybody who knows me probably wouldn't be surprised by that, because I can pretty much fall asleep whenever wherever

[@sethferguson7365]

I think that with talent comes a more natural feel to your guitar playing. But at the same time, you can learn to have a better stage presence. Natural talent helps for sure, but you can always learn if you just put in the effort.

[@xavierlebeuf3061]

there is no such thing as musicians that are better than any other, there are only musicians whom practiced more than any other

[@saus2818]

Couldn't have said it better. Believe it or not that lady has the same capacity to play the violin as Isaac Stern. Your body is not born knowing how to play any instrument, it's a skill that you learn just like any other.

[@ivanguban7143]

I don’t remember who, but someone said: “After practicing 13 hours daily, they call me - talented.”

[@petermakesmusic]

Please tell me that Sam Griffin reference was a hint at something soon to come?!?

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

you gotta give me a few months to grow out my mullet first

[@_____NICK_____]

First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is a mountain again. Getting stuck on the word talent misses the point. They are giving you praise/appreciation/compliment etc. so when/if you over-intellectualize the spur of the moment comment you have received you will miss the meaning of kindness/appreciation/respect in the comment you are getting because the sender of the message didn’t send it the way YOU want. Let go of your mountain (meaning of talent) and you will understand the true mean of the gifts those people gave you.

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

As I mentioned in the video, I fully acknowledge that these are kind compliments and I appreciate them. But you're missing the point of the video. I simply used those comments as an opportunity to shine light on the general misconception around "talent," and to encourage those who feel like a perceived lack of talent is going to prevent them from accomplishing what they hope to in their musical endeavors.

[@michal.morawski91]

Inspiring, did you consider being a music coach? You've certainly got talent to be one. :)

[@narulaharsh]

Four talented 🎸 ists disliked this video.

[@prayerg7086]

But did you ever think about it in this way. A talented person and a normal person both put equal effort, time, soul, energy whatever into same thing who do you think would win?

[@kenz2756]

But what's 'talent'? I don't believe inborn talent even exists, instead, it's something you develop through past experience plus some luck which makes you have a mindset that allows you to learn new things more easier. It's hard for someone that hates math to like math, you know what i mean? But it's in no way impossible. The only talent that i think exists is physical, like the vocal chord. And don't forget this guy probably has a classical guitar degree while many of his viewers never even had formal music education.

[@ezcawi]

What if I said you had a natural talent for hard work? :p

[@BeyondTheGuitarAcademy]

🤯

[@geminiFree]

I prefer the word "affinity". When you have affinity for something you "naturally" practice more. The result of this? They call you talented.

[@kenz2756]

Yeah, but even affinity isn't something you're born with either i don't think. It's a mindset you develop through your past experience, and also preference. Eventually it leads to how fast you swallow new knowledge. It's difficult for someone who hates math to start liking math, you know what i mean?

[@kenz2756]

I don't believe in talent. Thecnically speaking, talent is just luck + mindset + preference + educational background.

[@lawrence1960]

I equally am irritated by "gifted"

[@wangzhenlama6422]

You are a legend not talent..