How Tim Henson Wrote 'Playing God'

Polyphia's Tim Henson answers the internet's burning questions about guitar playing.
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[@jdwylde7]

“I have 22 frets and I’m gonna use 22 frets.”

[@alfie9161]

24*

[@JR-xk1rd]

More like I have 22 frets I'm gonna use 64

[@RobinSijtsma]

​@@alfie9161the nylon guitar that he uses for this song live and on the record has 22 frets

[@cricketowo]

24

[@el1tezgaming694]

The electric guitar has 24 frets but the songs recording was originally on 22 frets

[@Toekneehouse]

He just looks at you at the end like “okay now you do it”

[@pencil6965]

lmao

[@artbymui]

😂

[@marichan6595]

Math teachers asking you to solve practical problems after teaching you theoretically🥲🥲

[@blastard8980]

It kinda makes him a bit smug, not in a good way. Scotty seems nicer.

[@thereal_rym]

😂😂😂

[@ygypt]

this is like those art books that say "start with a circle. add a triangle for the beak. shade the rest of the owl and voila"

[@dontworryboutit2700]

what

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

I got my kids the "How to Draw Cute Animals" book for Christmas. One draws, and it looks just like it. The other draws, and I have to lie and say, "Awww, so cute." So yes, you have to come with talent pre-installed.

[@sparda9060]

@@TheAutumnWind_RN4L Yeah lol "Talent Software" not included with those type of instructional books lmao

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

@@sparda9060 lol, right 😆

[@16revelation]

😂

[@theprodigalson4003]

He’s the first man I’ve ever felt like this for

[@UniMatrix_1]

Lol we all feel that way 😅

[@heavy_metalfreak]

huh?

[@UniMatrix_1]

that boy pretty@@heavy_metalfreak

[@askiia8713]

He's asian-

[@nanekivonrosewald9933]

This comment is the one

[@Town_Country96]

You don’t understand how difficult it is to throw harmonics in with regular chords. This guy is something else.

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@Animemusiclovasmadcorrect, which makes his music at a god tier level since not only does it take ridiculous skill, it sounds heavenly.

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@Animemusiclovasmad tell me you’ve listen to three bands in your life without telling me lmao

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@Animemusiclovasmad poorly programmed bot with the same 3 responses. The human that coded you should go meet women

[@preetamdasika7636]

@@Animemusiclovasmad dont worry, Tim and Scott tend to gravitate towards techniques that appeal to more trained ears that have the capacity to appreciate such craftsmanship. I think you can get there eventually, I highly suggest New Levels New Devils by Polyphia (has my favorite track by them, GOAT)

[@papanasrom]

​@@Animemusiclovasmadwoah chill man no need to get confrontational

[@XSpImmaLion]

Tim's signature "yeah, simple like this". And guitar players are there "WTF just happened".

[@CreeCore94]

speak for yourself lmao this is pretty simple when he breaks it down. All you need is a low action guitar and muscle memory, anyone can play it.

[@yoelalbornoz6901]

​@@CreeCore94ponele que cualquiera puede porq los armonicos son complicados

[@_conchobhar_]

@@CreeCore94 yeah pretty much. as a classical player, playing god is not hard. i have pieces ten to twenty times more difficult.

[@yoelalbornoz6901]

​@@CreeCore94?

[@yoelalbornoz6901]

​@@CreeCore94como que "arreglar mi jardin"??????

[@phillipedwardness9591]

“And then I just go” *impossibly difficult sequence for most guitar players*

[@kebman]

Honestly, it doesn't even look that hard. It's just that... That stuff is impossible to do! Ok!

[@mixedonions]

Lol difficult it’s an awful sequenced racket

[@Mango-rn7gy]

@@mixedonionsmaybe with distortion but its beautiful on the nylons or even with a small bit of distortion

[@mrtoast244]

@@Mango-rn7gy it does sound weird with distortion

[@swoqix2892]

@@mixedonions all guitar playing is an awful racket when you have distortion; that's the point

[@thatonedude243]

Man does harmonics better than I can do alternate picking.

[@dirtydan8044]

They are not, whatsoever.

[@vincere13]

​@@dirtydan8044 what ?

[@dirtydan8044]

@@vincere13 those harmonics aren't great whatsoever

[@trapOrdoom]

@@dirtydan8044 lmfao shut up you nobody.

[@bodge_]

@@dirtydan8044 grow up

[@jont.7707]

The way he looks up at the end like “that’s right mortals, I can play the whole thing by myself”.

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

Mortals would rather play something more sensical and not so all over the place anime intro stuff

[@lukavrbanic8154]

@@Animemusiclovasmad bro is comment spamming every comment this so funny

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

@@lukavrbanic8154 no, theres many comments. I only commented on a couple of them. Keep the delusions bro. I see youre scrolling through every comment and getting triggered with mine. Job accomplished.

[@nhs.14]

@@Animemusiclovasmadyeah In which you got owned hard by people here to the point that you delete your comment

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

@@nhs.14 youre delusional bro, keep dreaming 🤣

[@marquism1799]

Dude's barely 30 and is already one of the greatest guitar players alive. Imagine Hensen with 20+ more years under his belt. I can't even imagine.

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

Greatest? In what field? Throwing lots of forced random notes and non sensical melodies? Yeah

[@Killerkarotte1]

Haha. You're so clueless.

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@Animemusiclovasmad it’s crazy that you’re so obsessed with Tim you’ve gotta hop on every comment wow

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

@@ChooChooTrainny keep projecting bro 🤣🪞

[@ChooChooTrainny]

@@Animemusiclovasmad aye I don’t see your guitar videos. Seems like you’re just a jealous hack at the end of the day 🤷 prove me wrong 😂

[@splunky2319]

Tim: so yeah I just had a piece of 2x4 and some ductape, but yeah here is my 2 story mansion i built

[@suzannaj3834]

😂

[@estikenal3078]

Exactly 😂😂

[@estikenal3078]

That's the gist of it yeah😂😂😂😂😂

[@antine1279]

Yeah basically

[@xXFatboyXx3021]

Facts 😂😂😂😂

[@basheerahmed9481]

Imma pretend I just understood everything.

[@duke_ov_doom]

Gonna need a translator to tell us what he was talking about.

[@mrgrimmer7997]

He took a bunch of chords that sound cool and then played the individual notes of each chord separately in order to form a melody. He then used a technique called harmonics to make it more interesting. That's it.

[@AA-rr9ly]

me too and i've never even touched a guitar

[@Trentoscroft]

same

[@chrissy93x]

Same haha

[@rashadnajeeb7723]

This guy looks like a final fantasy character

[@submarooo4319]

Fr, i think he just has peculiar characteristics and features that seem novel

[@formless3791]

looks cool af ngl

[@sweethope1095]

I was about to comment this same exact thing 😂

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

Fr😂😂😂😂

[@Animemusiclovasmad]

He looks like an anime character, and thats the "music" he does. Generic anime npc intro

[@SandE.X.E]

Need tutorial for tutorial

[@colinerikstanhouse6385]

I've been watching guitarists for 40+ yrs, and every so often one changes the course of music on the guitar. Tim is among the greats !

[@manning0]

I half expected you to finish on a joking 'and Tim is not one of those guitarist'

[@Cameron_TPTNS]

Who are some others that you think changed course of music. Just curious

[@TheMrRobert]

What are you 6? Lol

[@sebbyplayz0049]

My toxic trait is thinking that I could actually play this

[@Witheringblitz]

My toxic trait is i belive in you

[@judgepage6605]

My toxic trait is knowing that you actually could

[@MrLoading]

My toxic trait is that i think you might do it

[@sebbyplayz0049]

@@MrLoading all the support in these replies, fills me we hope, rlly inspiring to improve at the guitar

[@estikenal3078]

Get it King!!🔥🔥

[@skay1992]

you can feel the "yeah i just did that" in his face in that final frame

[@qwertyzxcv123]

As a guitarist, you inspired me to throw away my guitars. 😂

[@sparda9060]

Yeah but the riffs are so good to the ears that it makes you go dig up your gear in the garbage and practice their songs lol

[@ceasetheday87]

As a human being, he inspired me to throw away all my fingers.

[@sweetnotes]

As a non guitarist he's inspired me to not dismiss the fact that guitars are art pieces. That is a gorgeous guitar and it sounds incredible.

[@theysaidimasian9766]

the way he looked at the camera at the end was like "see, simple? now you do it"

[@badoublenana]

Bro’s beautiful. And he loves the word “arpeggiated”

[@trigazer2975]

Bro this guy can just dismiss harmonics like they easy to play 😂 the talent of this man is insane he for sure gonna be one of the best guitarists of our future

[@tomekk.1889]

They are haha. It's all just practice

[@josh18230]

Natural harmonics are easy to play, you just touch the fret instead of holding it down.

[@Augrills]

Harmonics are easier to play than a regular note if you know where they are lol

[@iDrraaaK]

@@Augrills No, they are not, a regular note is easier to make a clean sound with.

[@Augrills]

@@iDrraaaK For a beginner. For someone who knows where the natural harmonics are, it requires a lighter touch and less effort to hit them

[@vickicks1111]

Playing God sounds perfect with that chorus + distortion pedal combo

[@Polotongquitz]

Nah. The original sounds better.

[@HostileHitman]

No way. That tone is actually gross. Original is substantially better.

[@Davidmallen429]

​@@HostileHitman agreed. Made for the nylon. With distortion and chorus, no thanks.

[@skivvytv6229]

@@HostileHitman ok grandpa, lets get you back to your 1980 custom acoustic

[@raffimolero64]

maybe change it up

[@JesseEVH]

He definitely got that knee tat just to wear ripped jeans 😂 honestly a good idea

[@2อิ-พ3ช]

so cool

[@Janthdanl]

He is like fully covered in tattoos

[@yonelt8846]

Conversely, it looks like his tattoos are paired with ripped jeans😂

[@andrepalomaro353]

One of the greatest guitarists EVER hands down. Unbelievable comfort eith the entire guitar, many techniques and rhythms, mastery bro. I cant.

[@whackronomicon]

The first guitarist in history who can make people want to both learn and quit playing guitar.

[@nobleflare97]

Homeboy is out here doing harmonics like nothing, meanwhile I choke on my own saliva

[@Mr_Uni]

You might want to get that looked at… just saying

[@LordeMarsh]

Tim Henson may be the most generous guitar virtuoso in guitar history in terms of how much technical stuff he’s willing to share with the fans

[@ZonsCHANNEL]

Synyster Gates shared so much too and does lessons as well. I think Tim Henson is a close second for sure. Not trying to discredit Tim for what he’s done, I just think Syn has one of the most unique guitar sounds in rock/metal and has been sharing his stuff since the mid 2000’. I learned how to play a lot of avenged songs and developed my sound thanks to Syns videos.

[@brendanm6921]

Paul Gilbert is very much the same too. But he's a much better teacher than Tim. I mean, Tim's an amazing musician and genuinely seems like a really nice guy but he's not a great teacher.

[@alejandroterzado2068]

that guitar sounds insane

[@skay1992]

what guitar? it's drowning in reverb

[@CharlotteGatensbury-hj9ll]

No cus like yessss i need mine to sound that good

[@Pyr0nEx]

@@skay1992bro doesn’t know the difference between reverb and delay

[@lincolnfish4021]

​@@skay1992not really, I think it's the modulation that sounds kinda reverb-ish.

[@FORO1705]

“Hi, I’m Tim Henson, and I betcha can’t play this”

[@akosibrothercoolpzzle123]

Understanding this is like understanding calculus at mid school while having only algebra as my background.😂

[@jordanclark4299]

It's like he's some kind of real life anime character. Dude looks and preforms like one too LMAO

[@shaolinrasta2289]

Discovered these guys a few days ago. I am astronmically impressed

[@jetorixjones]

This guy is going down as one of the guitar greats. I can’t wait to hear all the amazing music he creates.

[@eamonmcdonough]

One of the most talented guitarists I've ever seen

[@JaysEvo8]

That's it, I'm selling my guitar.

[@joeziify]

that’s it, I’m picking up my guitar

[@IgiveyouNONE]

this guy is the lost brother of Chris Heria

[@bradyrewell6130]

I THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME

[@poetiks]

They have multiple videos together

[@StevenDoesStuff]

They have videos together and call each other brother hahaha

[@yinglu1229]

they both have a chinese mother and lots tattoos

[@countdebleauchamp]

😂😅😮

[@nogginclontith]

idk who this is but it looks like a mild cold might take him out so I hope he wraps up warm

[@olachens]

jesus christ that is the perfect description for how he looks

[@nathanmackinnon7405]

that or mild constructive criticism

[@iliveinastateofconstantcon3859]

one of the best guitarists in the world i think

[@Penguinman2.0]

He made polyphia??? Bro who are you? a literal nobody. Quit being a snowflake.

[@isaacwillett3854]

@@iliveinastateofconstantcon3859 technically. But I’m gonna put on some Led Zeppelin or Jimi’s blues album before I put on this “virtuoso”

[@Choctaw43]

I appreciate how humble Tim seems. It’s as if he innocently believes everyone see’s the guitar through his eyes.

[@yaboylevi]

This dude is on a whole new level that I've never heard before

[@YesJustTia]

not only the pretty face, he's also very talented at guitar

[@elojune2896]

It’s more like the other way around though

[@isaacwillett3854]

Pause

[@osrarul]

Mid

[@cccEngineer]

Start

[@Alexander-vo4gv]

Bro looks like an anime protagonist

[@marksulkanon]

It’s interesting to me how the chord sequence he started with is actually pretty traditional to the guitar - it sounds similar to flamenco and the Phrygian mode, and even aspects of the rhythm, phrasing, and use of harmonics hint in that direction. And, yet it is amazing how innovative and technical his performance is while remaining lyrical and accessible at the same time

[@startownsend7517]

I know it's been a year but you should listen to the full song if you haven't already

[@altSt0rm]

How Tim Henson would explain this to his younger self before he wrote Playing God.

[@MoonKofi]

My one year old baby is so focused while watching this video.

[@swindler04]

i bet a lot of people havent listened to the original song, this is just a demonstration of how he made the riff, its originally played on the TOD10N, an electro acoustic with nylon strings. so thats why it doesnt sound great in this video

[@nicolasespejo7095]

What are u talking about, it sounds orgasmic

[@APawlack]

It sounds more dark and dramatic like this. Wish they had a full version like it

[@TheMultiDouche]

The smug look at the end where he reminds us all how much better he is as a musician kills me 😅😅😅

[@jessicanicoleferr]

LORDDD he is such a beautiful man

[@iansamuel1811]

makes me question my sexuality

[@lewisisdaman]

I will admit, for a man, he looks like a really attractive female lol. None of his facial features or traits are 'masculine'. They are all beautiful in a feminine way. Ain't nothing wrong with that. He's very pretty lol

[@KamiXSwift]

​​@@lewisisdaman"Shes handsome", "Hes Pretty" I love his sense of style though classic 2022-2023

[@KamiXSwift]

Cus back in my days we has wonder women, now we wonder if it is a women..

[@bladenot-runner1795]

@@lewisisdaman This man makes everyone use the Kinsey scale like a jumprope.

[@hudsonfletcher6547]

I wonder where Tim gets all these frayed sweaters. I love ‘em

[@TheSilverGate]

I'm not into his band but I have utmost respect for his skills, truly impressive

[@Killerkarotte1]

Which skills? Playing some random notes ain't skill

[@gorgistanojevik3196]

​@@Killerkarotte1 if you, as a normal guy, can play THAT, and upload it, I will agree with you but until then just lmao

[@malakai_adam]

His whole look is immaculate

[@Dustin_Platt]

"I kind of picked this riff while I was in the womb singing _Nanna na nana_ "

[@dougcronkhite2113]

One of the most interesting players today.

[@mecia_]

This guy made me pick up my guitar after 10 years of not playing it And he's also the same guy who makes me want to throw it away lmao

[@maximusfogdall6907]

He looks like a total goofball but an amazing musician

[@jordanj9069]

That chord progression just by itself sounds so good I wish they did it as a breakdown in the song

[@obscurazone]

Timi Handlicks. I absolutely adore this human.

[@Eeeeeeeeerie]

My toxic trait is thinking I could play this

[@XxSTACKxX]

He deserves those tattoos

[@XxSTACKxX]

Also, I respect him a lot now

[@suzy3584]

For a second i forgot that i play something called a guitar 💀

[@sasacvorovic-tr3ie]

"So yeah, u just like, ughh play 4 chords and then be a guitar god and yeah that's how you write riffs" lmao

[@kevinjackman4026]

Thank you Tim for making me throw all my guitars into the ocean.

[@QastletheKing]

Ngl I thought he would be entitled and pretentious based on his appearance but he seems really chill actually. Teaching with this level of knowledge and skill is rare.. his look is so fire too 🔥

[@K.Jboo_20]

Tell me your talented without telling me your talented 😅😅😂😂❤

[@stephenvanbellinghen933]

The chords sound more God-like unarpeggiated

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

I read this as Jim Henson! 😪

[@ogichi002]

I saw these guys live a couple months back and they played this. He does it perfectly live while just having fun! Tim Henson doesn't play god, he is god!

[@ikbalaja5373]

Even if you sold your soul you'll never come close to this levels

[@TheMattJacks]

Tim Henson: I have been playing for 30 years, and I must say I am blown away by your extreme talent. Your whole band is nuts, but you specifically have such soft hands when playing, it is just remarkable. For anyone new to guitar, even Polyhia is learnable with enough practice. Try 1/6 speed to start. Get a metronome. Go to 1/3 speed, then 1/2, then 3/4, then full speed, but break your practice into one phrase at a time. It is overwhelming, but doable.

[@sabre5807]

Im thinking hes got the musician prodigy brain 😮 they just connect with their instruments, even though hes practiced plenty it just seems like he doesnt even think too hard about it.

[@christianbiedrzycki2432]

I love the rose stems on the fret board

[@kylejackson6531]

Playing god electric goes crazy tho

[@alfredorichardohaurissa801]

bro looks like stright outa some anime final boss with guitar as weapon

[@nethminnn]

As much as it is impressive that he has the technical skill to play this, I can't imagine the creativity you have to have to create something so intricate and complex but also memorable

[@modhappy]

Is Tim Henson related to Jim Henson

[@1slotmech]

No.

[@Tree-thingz]

😂

[@gideonMorrison]

How about Chris Hansen

[@user-LxConstance87]

What were you thinking about when u wrote this

[@parkbenchwarrior3366]

He wanketh, god giveth

[@TendoTheDude]

Oh...look at that. simple as that. Easy peasy lemon- WTF IS THIS GUY AND WHAT PLANET DID HE COME FRO-.... good stuff

[@skylarhowes9322]

That face at the end was priceless 😅

[@Pyr0nEx]

Bro can make any guitar tone sound gorgeous

[@Kneithrabandofficial]

just not this tone apparently

[@avagrier2309]

He seems like a sweetheart but I need him to play some chapstick…

[@avagrier2309]

The lips look painful

[@ytuseracct]

Tim wears makeup but can't bother to get a chapstick haha I feel ya

[@Raevn_YT]

I had to remind myself that I'm straight 😮‍💨

[@tmp1k]

Dayum 🔥what’s the omni chord? Asking for a friend.

[@patrikjpg]

gotta b honest, i need dat sweater

[@katim2644]

I love how his fingers just float effortlessly over the frets. It looks so graceful and part of the experience when hearing/watching him play.

[@Electricaltape2]

Has anyone ever looked so happy with themselves?

[@YangSunWoo]

No matter what you do, there's always an half Asian doing it better than you

[@naufalfalah_]

How to draw a face Step 1 : draw a circle Step 2 : add some details

[@zimgaming1397]

The most beautiful man in the world

[@kgal9657]

Have him all, not feeling what you feel at all.

[@jasonpaulos3051]

look at him before the plastic surgery.

[@JJ-dn8rb]

It just keeps getting more impressive

[@zzzzzz69]

Nice, get to see some structure behind it

[@dielanschamber8730]

"and then you go..ª Makes every guitar player questions their decision making in life.

[@SecondLifeAround]

This guy not only rocks but he also created the legendary Muppets TV show!

[@mathiasklein8143]

Please tell me why this guitar tone wasn’t the one used in the song

[@blakebrown534]

You wouldn't be able to make out all the insane playing with all that distortion and reverb if it was actually used on the song.

[@mathiasklein8143]

@@blakebrown534 yes, but the chords + electric guitar tone would’ve amounted to a greater song than the arpeggios + nylon guitar

[@blakebrown534]

Possibly. I'd certainly be interested in hearing them do it that way just for comparison@@mathiasklein8143

[@ToddHowardBethesda]

He’s got that guitar center beginner solid-state amp tone.

[@ShiroTaka-mg9mc]

He is teaching math, example, example of question, and the last is question

[@ToyoToyo-fu2et]

😊😅😮😢. Siap bos.....jp.......... Hari thn. tgl. Jj#.#.

[@LALISA4]

😍😍😍😍

[@PaddyDAngelo]

He's such a beautiful man

[@BatLB]

Ok so the video starts and im like what emo kid is that. Then he plays and I look into the face of every young rocker in the 60s and 70s. Got me kid, your skill deserves respect.

[@lg8705]

Dudes just to sick. focused, motivated and determination 🤘

[@kevin_heslip]

That’s an attractive man

[@ladder3257]

How does everyone hate him 😂i bet no one has actually listened to the actual song

[@gtplumbing2004]

It's the same in reverse, I commented on the video, and All I said is it wasn't for me, and I end up getting attacked and told I don't know anything about music. I'm over sixty, and I've been in the stage lighting business for over forty years. They sound like very good session musicians. None of their songs stood out to me. I don't hate them.