How Hard is "Playing God" by Polyphia? (Reacting to your comments)

[@brandonacker]

Join my online guitar course!🎸classicalguitar-pro.com -53 videos -6 hours of content -Learn your first pieces -Simulated recital -Downloads and PDFs

[@LilJonnyGuitar]

whered you get the shirt youre wearing in this video?

[@americanswan]

I like a variety of music but nothing makes me get emotional. I get emotional with a good story. I like NCS's yt channel, organ music, hymns, lute, harp guitar, and some jazz.

[@fanoboss]

thank you ... i will start practicing the economy of motion technique

[@aqueelkadri8371]

9:19 Brandon accidentally admitting that he has been playing music ever since the 15th century. But unlike Brandon, a dying mortal once said, "There are no accidents"

[@darioinversiones]

there are no casualities...

[@elleorelse423]

😯...😏...🤫

[@luckylikey9280]

tiny little accidents?

[@famatu]

@@CatsPajamas23 emojis don‘t usually live in packs

[@CatsPajamas23]

@@luckylikey9280 Did you not understand??? THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS!!!

[@dylanquinones-mattei2157]

I swear, this guys is gonna bring back the lute to mainstream. I might not be now, or later, but this channel can only go up with this content.

[@thewrightbros5711]

I mean, didn’t Steve vai kinda put one together with his 3 necked guitars?

[@LKonstantina915]

lute is kinda popular in my country amongst stringed musicians! (Greece) Its a really beautiful instrument!

[@Incog2k6]

"Guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it!"

[@Big_Human]

Bard class now meta?

[@DarrenKrusi]

DnD movie coming out next year I think it is. Let's see how much lute-age happens that doesn't involve violence.

[@_js]

Fellow Mongolian here. Hearing you like Mongolian throat singing caught me off guard. Cheers to you for listening to many sounds and music from different cultures!

[@neatpolygons8500]

4:17 holy shit dude, now I know why you're so nice and gentle, because you know when you go wild ain't no one stopping you

[@j.q.higgins2245]

When I saw you play the cover, you seemed much more relaxed and poised to me than most of your competitors on their instruments, which led me to believe that a few extra strings must come in particularly handy to get the job done. Now, hearing about the challenges you actually faced, all it proves is that making a difficult task look easy is the ultimate manifestation of excellence.

[@nathanmantle377]

Or he's just more highly trained than a lot of those players ;) He learned this in probably less time than they did, and because it's a "technical" sort of piece, it can be learned by amateurs with enough practice. The ease with which he plays it tells me that he simply has enough trained technique that the technical requirements do not cause him much strain.

[@OrojinMusic]

Your monolog about delving into different styles of music earned my sub. "Each genre presents a different emotional cocktail" is one of the most eloquently expressed arguments for not getting stuck in a genre.

[@NoMeWithoutYou1]

Brandon, what a pleasure it is to watch you play and speak. I like the fact that you were a heavy metal guitarist that has found a home in classical music and that you continue to listen to a wide genre of styles. I am the same way and concur that each has its place and adds to the vastness that is Music.

[@Traumglanz]

Rock, Flamenco, Lute Music and Mongolian Throat singing? Is this how to tell someone that you are into metal without telling them you are into metal? Our High School Music teacher used to teach us about all those things, because we need it for later. He was a total metalhead, which we found out later. ;-)

[@Sygyt123]

OK, who's going to tell Brandon about Yat-Kha, The Hu, and Paul Pena? Gut-bucket throat-singing metal and blues!

[@eclipseeffigy]

The cover was really cool but this video is what made me subscribe. Your thoughts and insights are a great addition. Love your general sense of appreciation and interest for the things you discuss.

[@fnersch3367]

As a musicologist, my hat's off to you for your open mind.

[@saulnine7786]

That statement is and indictment of mainstream musicology in itself.

[@aenima1]

TIL a musicologist exists. This was not offered by my guidance counselor :/

[@ericscherzer2544]

Great editing and mix of fun comments and breakdown! Really fun and enjoyable video. Love your stuff.

[@p07a]

“each style has something to give the listener” I absolutely agree! Not a lot of people make this statement and I’m really glad you’re promoting this so more people will step out of their comfort zone and discover new things they didn’t know they could enjoy.

[@NickKouls]

I find it fascinating how many classical guitarists started as metalheads myself included..!

[@muenchhausenmusic]

My ex-girlfriend (and musical partner) calls harmonics "fairy notes". I would love for this to catch on 😊

[@pazz6708]

I'm a guitar player as well. I love the way you teach and your emphasis on listening to all genres of music. I have been saying this to others for years. So many people put themselves in a box by not listening to all types of music. You have earned yourself another subscriber.

[@ChaosPootato]

I don't know how often you'd be willing to do this kind of thing but I'd love to hear other genres with your instruments and style

[@BirdOfCreation]

This slow version of Playing God when you showed how you practiced was absolutely soothing

[@DerpLeSqueege]

you are a delight to watch play and listen to, have seen you many times on your channel and as a guest to others and was surprised i didn't have you subbed before. very cool to hear about your metal history, very interesting genre interests

[@clairenicholls]

I’m now obsessed with early music and ‘things that go pluck’ thanks to you Brandon. Thank you so much! Any chance you have an album in the works? Much love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@brandonacker]

I'm so happy to hear that! I do have CDs available here: arpeggiato.com/cd/

[@virginielafrench3921]

@@brandonacker it 's nice of you but please , do also physical CDs ! Something we can play on a CD player . The internet did not exist when i was born and i have some troubles with new technologies. Yes,i am a prehistoric woman of the VINYLE AGE !!! 😂😂😂

[@davidmiller9485]

@@virginielafrench3921 That's ok maam. I'm not as young as i used to be and i still prefer a CD/DVD. The main difference is that I've been using Computers since 1979. :)

[@jrow8694]

First written harmonics explained. Wow you’re great! I love this video!

[@danielngai]

“Listen to everything, not to limited yourself” I love what you said❤

[@MainPrism]

I'm always amazed by Brandon's skill and knowledge of music. I'm convinced this man is truly amazing on ANYTHING with strings!!!

[@jeffmansfield914]

I’ve only seen a couple of your videos before, and they were the ones where you were in the guitar shop guessing prices and such. Your serious and intellectual demeanor in those and your NPR voice definitely caused me to be shocked when learning about your metal roots. 😮

[@PhatAthlete]

Huun Huur Tu was at the Oregon Eclipse festival in 2017! I immediately sat up with a straight back because it was channeling so much spirit

[@occultcattv888]

I learned so much from this! Thank you 🙏

[@ten1851]

hi Brandon, I appreciate your take and advise on how you get a hard song done, as someone self learning and struggling with learning harder songs, it definitely help hearing practicing methods from other people to try and find which fit mine. Many musicians don't share them to the depth you did.

[@andytran6150]

Sir, you are a gift to humanity.

[@skittles2]

First time hearing harmonics on lute, it's so crisp and beautiful to the ears 😍

[@fugithegreat]

One of the best things about KZbin is the amazing variety of music I've been able to discover. I've found so many kinds of music that I love, often seemingly incompatible. I already knew that I liked 16th century music, but your channel has helped me learn that I don't just like it, I love it!

[@resourcedragon]

Regarding the economy of movement: my teacher is amazing, you can barely see her fretting hand move at all unless she makes a position shift. (I have been trying to copy her technique when entering PINs as well as when playing a lute.)

[@thealdoc]

You are starting to make me want to try guitar again, i stopped because I couldn't figure out finger style and there weren't enough pick friendly tutorials that i could find.

[@apollorobb]

I went and listened to Fragile utopia. Thats some good music . Id like to here more about the Metal days

[@klummmb]

Both your cover and this reaction/teaching video are outstanding content!! Love this format, please make more like this!

[@dyos24]

Now I want to see the full rendition of Bach 996 Allemande!

[@jl4859]

No way you were a metal guy looool, that picture! Incredible

[@wucks3666]

Hi Brandon! I've been watching your videos for a while now and I have to thank you for igniting my interest in classical music. I've been lately practicing some classical pieces on my (steel string) guitar and I feel like I've made progress as a musician faster than before. This has taken my songwriting to a new level (not too advanced still tho) and it has made me more confident as a musician. Also I've always been extremely interested in all these historical stringed instruments and it has been a pleasure to learn more about lutes and stuff. Huge thanks, maybe I'll check some of your guitar courses in the future. Cheers from Finland!

[@dillonreichel191]

👏👏👏I hope I can express how much I enjoy your playing and your channel. Your talent, perspective, musical background, honesty, generosity, and pedagogy are not lost on many of us. So I thank you and hope you continue to make and share videos! Cheers 🙏

[@brandonacker]

Thank you so much, Dillon!

[@aries_9130]

I couldn't agree more on the importance of listening to different types of music. The point of every style having some different to offer emotionally really resonated with me and has been my exact experience since I started branching out more into genres I never considered listening to years ago.

[@mastod0n1]

The best thing I ever did was get out of the mindset I had as a teenager that the 2 or 3 genres I liked at the time were the only genres worth listening to. Even cookie cutter pop music has a lot of cool stuff going on that I draw influence from. I love it all now.

[@d3l_nev]

I would love to hear you play G.O.A.T, It's one of my favourites.

[@aguven]

Small correction, what you showed was not Mongolian throat singing, that was Tuvan throat singing which is Turkic.

[@KwadSkwad]

5:23 so I've been playing guitar around 24 years now, and my son is around 4 years on piano.. what you say right here about mastering something slowly and perfectly before you speed it up.. I swear you sound just like me teaching him when he is practicing!!!! I've got to put him onto your channel and maybe hearing it again can beat it into his psyche :D

[@bansheegaming107]

As always Brandon's videos are very informative to musicians and non-musicians. ❤️❤️❤️

[@gins8781]

As a beginner (mostly self taught) guitarist, I picked up some very useful information from this video.

[@lolin6375]

Really love your version of this song

[@CatsPajamas23]

Same.

[@DuncanMcBride]

THIS MAN JUST CASUALLY PLAYED THE FREEBIRD SOLO OFF-HAND, oh my God. Please do a collaboration with one of the big Bardcore channels to do a cover of it, you'd nail the solo and that would be ridiculously hype

[@adagames5861]

Every time i see this guy play my ego melts down to zero

[@Gragonith1]

I would love to see that In a band. It would be awesome!!

[@bencoulcher9507]

Why practice music 40 hours A-day when you can just start playing in the 15th century

[@xliquidflames]

Economy of motion makes total sense. Thanks for the quick lesson on it. I've started to try to be consciously aware of how much movement I have in my fingers when practicing. I'll then try to find places where I can lessen movements without affecting the sound or my accuracy. What d'ya know? It works. I have noticed a big jump in my speed. I was wasting so much effort moving when I didn't need to or lifting off fretts too far. So, thanks again for doing this follow up and answering questions.

[@ameanasaur]

The importance of listening to different musical styles portion of this video is so on point. My mind blossomed when I began trying to cover songs I learned on electric guitar to the acoustic. That transition alone in my playing took me from relying on tablature to being able to pick apart songs and play them. The neck action and amplification on an electric makes it far more forgiving than the acoustic but builds really bad technique that is hard to undo. Also, that bass string visibly vibrates for at least 10 seconds and is visually appealing to a musician watching it. You weren't kidding about the metal band lmao. You should do a 'sustain challenge' across stringed instruments, its hilarious just imagining it. "..but I'm not hearing anything..." "But you would though if it was playing, its really famous for its sustain"

[@AwareOCE]

Tim Henson Wrote the piece, something incredible he has commented on multiple times is that he writes melodies in Midi with a DAW and then figures out how to play it on guitar after the fact which is just insane haha

[@bad_name_here]

I've been learning the psychosocial guitar solo recently and your tip about leaning fast songs really helped (it was at 5:51)

[@Grisha_Goryachev]

Great Stuff!

[@opart]

Please make a "classical" Meshuggah track :) For emotional "rock", some 90s doom metal takes it really far - I would recommend "My Dying Bride" (Angel and the dark river is the entry album), early Anathema (The Silent Enigma) and Tiamat (Wildhoney album).

[@steveg6199]

8:03 - I tried to give Opera many chances. It never took. But I totally agree that we all should at least give many different types of music a few chances.

[@aftonet]

13:17 accidentaly plays the Castlevania II opening theme.

[@danceswithdirt7197]

Thankful for your channel and channels like it. You are an amazing artist sir and I am always positively delighted to hear you play.

[@cwxdaf152]

I've noticed that, ever since the internet took off, it's getting harder every year to find someone who only likes one kind of music. Music was essentially word of mouth outside of the few channels we had on TV. Mix tapes, random info from the few people who had satellite TV, etc. These days it's all about youtube vids where people present some kind of music you'd never have heard of back in the day. When I was a kid and someone mentioned something unusual, you have to look it up in the library and maybe go to a music store a journey away.

[@IcedForce]

So, we can count on that there's going to be economy of motion course named "Speed Kills: The reins to the Italian bull chariot"? And the quad-necked lute is optional but the hair is a must.

[@enjoyamv8778]

Listening to him makes me feel like its not playing God but played by God

[@chris123chris82]

I’d love more cover videos!

[@joshuagavaghan224]

"I never thought I would cry listening to music." Listen to Merchant Ships

[@Curzyk]

Hey Brandon, regarding Mongolian throat singing, have you listened to The HU yet? That'll combine with your taste for rock and metal. Example: "Wolf Totem" kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH6blXZ9ftJpr8U

[@joses2152]

Honestly never thought anyone was unhate-able... LOL. How can you leave a negative comment on such a gentle personality and soothing voice? Nice playing too!

[@joesiemoneit4145]

"i dont like listening to only one genre" -ice-t, rapper, singer of the hardcore band body count. and hes spot on! if one doesnt like a whole genre of music, chances are they didnt dig deep enough. KEEP ON THE GOOD WORK

[@mjt7231]

Having spent just a week or two learning it on a completely different instrument….mind blown man.

[@PPedroFernandes]

I 100% was NOT ready for long hair Brandon

[@MikeSylvestre]

Brandon is definitely an "audiophile" 😂

[@mythokki]

Please do an album of Early Music, Medieval and Renaissance on this incredible instrument! BTW, I listen to your music while I am painting (not housepainting, lol).

[@montymatthew1784]

I too came from a metal backround ( grew up with Impelliteri, Friedman, McAlpine, Racer X, Satriani, ) and I got bored.....so I locked up my pick and forced myself to learn fingerstyle... Turkish March by Mozart was the first thing I learned and I LOVED it! Now I sit down and love what I play...brings me joy! Flamenco! Tico Tico! Awesome.

[@duxnihilo]

We should start a petition to have Brandon on What We Do In The Shadows. Nadja could reopen her vampire nightclub.

[@MrCthur]

Algorithm sent me this before the actual cover, but this serves just as well as a hype vid.

[@AlexTorres-te4jl]

Has anybody noticed how insanely popular Tim Henson has gotten in like the past month?

[@tomiokagiyuu1730]

Похоже на то, я узнал его на канале Криса Хериа. Недавно

[@sparagus4044]

moreso the past year or two, mainly with the release of G.O.A.T

[@nibel13]

Wonderful!

[@justaweeb9086]

4th place‽‽‽ what the fuck could have possibly topped Brandon Acker himself playing this beast of a song on a fucking lute 💀💀

[@md_vandenberg]

Tim Henson has a KZbin channel where he demonstrates his songwriting process. You should give those videos a watch.

[@sitandpolitic]

Very fire sir ! 🔥🔥🔥

[@justinludeman8424]

Your insights are invaluable, especially your concise strictures concerning patient practice, proceeding slowly with mindfulness, slowly building speed without compromising technical quality; economy of motion. I'm nearing the milestone of 40 years playing the guitar, Classical - Jazz - Blues - Rock/Metal.... I'm enjoying the rabbit hole of theory and composition too. It is an amazing journey and I'm grateful to encounter useful and inspiring wise sages along the way. Thank you 🙏🏼❤️🇦🇺

[@TheVoitel]

Actually a rose is not necessarily inserted into the soundhole but can be directly carved into the sound board. Of course this is a lot of effort, as even a small mistake will mean you’ve wasted the soundboard and a lot of effort in preparing it. Thus you will find rather simpler designs on cheaper lutes and very elaborate designs with lots of 3D going on only on higher value ones.

[@davidlightfoot4720]

I love this video beyond measure. Learning to appreciate something new is always a positive experience.

[@Qpidon]

What's that blue chiclet on, lets say, second string/third fret? Many thanks

[@aquabot]

4:17 you were gorgeous, man. Well, you still are. And your cover was really cool.

[@jarekandrzej]

It’s really refreshing to see and hear professional people explaining subjects of their expertise. Very well done. Thanks

[@CynHicks]

Honestly, I never assumed that you were a strict Classical musician. It should have been obvious by at least your taste for different instruments. You have a lot of fans that see western Classical as something foreign , most likely. Awesome dude! Exposing and diversifying is SOMETIMES great. Also, if a person doesn't like Paco's music they are officially OUT of the guitar club AND the musician club. IMO anyway lol.

[@adriansmith6993]

Very interesting instrument and commentary. I agree about listening to all types of music. Never get bored of the same style. Thank you I enjoyed this video!

[@GnarlyDawg]

Hey Brandon! Love your channel. I'm a formally trained percussionist from classical origin but now later in life I've picked up guitar as a passion. Something to keep in mind and maybe worth discussion in another video is the concept of "difficult". In my experience it's very relative. Of course the bar is very high for someone like yourself with years of training, but to someone else the same piece might seem impossible. Also the nature of difficulty can be different. There's difficult because of dexterity or other physical issues. But here's also difficult in the sense of "hearing" things a certain way. Things can also be difficult intellectually to get your head around. You sort of hint at this in your reference to Bach but... might be interesting to go deeper. Anyway... very inspiring content you've been putting out. Keep it up!

[@Cssisabeautifulthang]

Metal Version is super unexpected

[@srenhaandbk7904]

I love your channel and your playing, I play medieval and folk music myself too, and have some experience building instruments. I think it would be great if you looked into the polish/ukrainian "Torban" lute. It's also a lute like instrument, but the sound board area is split up into regular lute-style strings, and a larger section, that more resembles a harp.

[@Zaque-TV]

We have the same tastes in music which is awesome. I actually made my own throat singing track. It's on my channel. I like to use anything and everything as an instrument. Most part of my songs are done on household items. But yeah I like and am learning flamenco, classical and all kinds of music. It's valuable for sure.

[@cheechnchong4347]

My first time seein' a video by you and I see you have good taste in music: you found "Paco de Lucia" (..he was the best!) I will check out yer other videos soon, thanx! 😎

[@F8Tributo]

I'm a fan!

[@Tonvanis75]

_Hey my friend, I really like your free spirited music philosophy that let one could experiencing many music dimensions. Happy Thanksgiving, and stay well_

[@hannahjohnson4582]

Look at that smile in the thumbnail! 😁😍

[@OneWaveORC]

now i need to hear eruption and free bird on arp lute dyude

[@standbyme6395]

I admit I was brought to tears with this video...✌️❤️💪

[@zeynepbilgesubozkaplan8626]

He’s got the most beautiful hands on the earth…❤️‍🔥

[@EzDeanFassassi]

You're a gem. Thank you for sharing your talents and passion for music.

[@GoddessPallasAthena]

I watched this months ago, but wanted to thank you for introducing me to Polyphia. When I watched the original cover video, I was like "whaaaaa . . . . what IS this? Where did it come from?" and it lead me to looking up Polyphia. SO not only do you educate us on early and Baroque music, you've introduced me to the music of current, very talented people making . . . some kind of rock music. (Math? Prog? What is it?? Whatever it is, they are good at what they do - Brandon said Math, so I'll take his word for it). I've come to love "Playing God," and coming back to watch you play on lute, am still amazed at how good your cover was!

[@sagetmaster4]

Those medieval professional lute players in the player's guild DEFINITELY knew about harmonics. You can't play one of those instruments all day for your entire life and not figure it out