How to MINDLESSLY Sound AWESOME on Guitar

Sharing some helpful, and mindless, tips on how to make people think you actually know what you're doing on a guitar. It's one arpeggio and one chord scale, along with a lot of false confidence and gusto. If you don't know what a chord scale is, watch this:
• How to Harmonize the M...
And for a jolt of arpeggio madness check this out:
• How to Practice all th...
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www.seandanielmusic.com
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A little about me:
Sean Daniel is a man. A man of simple needs and desires. And the one desire, no, the one NEED, that stands above all is to spread the challenges, joy and intellectual stimulus of music to people of Earth and beyond.
Born on the mean streets of upper middle class suburban Chicago, Sean learned the ways of the world through the dizzying heights of success to the lonesome depths of failure and emerged with the promise of a better tomorrow reflecting in his eyes and fiery passion in his belly.
He plays and teaches guitar on his KZbin channel where he regularly releases original music and projects to the adulation of legions of fans, who often compare him to Chris Pratt and one time Ryan Reynolds. He’s currently in the market for a nice leather jacket.

[@greenatom]

This is the quintessential Sean Daniel video. Very good sir!

[@seandaniel23]

I agree :)

[@jimjmcd]

Man, you are the King of Slack! Hard work is for suckers (and geniuses). This stuff is for me!

[@guitarDad100]

Great lesson. I never thought about it but the Inlays on the frets are the place holders for the Harmony scale. That is a great tip to know. Thanks for posting this lesson.

[@seandaniel23]

Always happy to help!

[@atharvarana8455]

He deserves more subs

[@spinnerone105]

A great musician becoming a coaching legend right before our eyes! Thx for the lesson and inspiration!

[@seandaniel23]

It feels good.

[@shreydon35]

You're a FRIGGIN GENIUS! You educated us with so much mindlessness! Awesome lesson man!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Tesla was, this guy aint.

[@dilipnthedavs]

Mindlessnes Rules !!! thanks mate for a most engaging session there. Always learn something really useful everytime I watch your lessons. Sometimes its just an aside that you throw in.

[@jsm1th2939]

Sean, I just started watching your channel, and I really click with your teaching style. Things just make sense when you explain them. Really really appreciate your efforts.

[@Chinaguitarsceptic]

Beautiful tone through the fender amp. Great to see you buddy. 👍😎

[@Chinaguitarsceptic]

Love the exercise too! 😁

[@seandaniel23]

My guy! Miss ya bud!

[@autocrow]

Great lesson Sean!! You are actually thinking. Thinking about the chords of the key. The basic foundation of all music. Use your "Circle Of 5'ths" video with this and you could rule the world.

[@seandaniel23]

UNLIMITED POWER!

[@vDomMusic]

I sometimes just put your videos on to listen to because you always have a beautiful tone. You beautiful bastard.

[@davidwagner5114]

Good lesson, I had not used that arpeggio shape before so I learned something here. Thanks!

[@seandaniel23]

One of my faves!

[@slingerace]

"Mindlessly focusing on personal stuff I have going on." You mean like trying to decide which of the girls to let out of the dungeon tonight? :-)

[@seandaniel23]

You know the dungeon is actually pretty nice.

[@slingerace]

You mean they get all the essentials like food, water and a makeup mirror?

[@jeffwaldo4568]

It rubs the lotion on its skin....

[@dustycat7224]

Relatively new to guitar this helps tie some individual elements have been working on in a very musical Fashion Much appreciated!

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@Bad.At.Guitar]

You explain music theory so cleanly its insane

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@EricSwanson1]

My best songs originated from mindless noodling and instant noodling. Great video, Sean.

[@rusty4150]

Yes and if you repeat the same arpeggio starting on the 5th string roots C D you will have the complete and awesome " mindless SD 145 sonata in G"

[@NateTriplett]

“Or a minor 11, cause I’m nasty.” lol

[@seandaniel23]

The nastiest.

[@carlotapuig]

Great tutorial. I tried it and everything worked after the first chord and some version of the arpeggio, also random chords outside the key. Especially every random diminished chord sounded fantastic and intended. Then I got confident and started alternating between looking at the horizon and closing my eyes while making some slight head movements, thinking how I would fool people into believing I know jazz. Therefore the correct title for this video should have been "How to MINDLESSLY learn EVERY jazz song ever in 5 minutes and effortlessly make MILLIONS of dollars"

[@seandaniel23]

Hah, I'm sure no jazz players would take offense :)

[@scotthack2632]

OK, I watched a couple of your videos and have enjoyed them but this one came up in my feed and I think this is just awesome! Caused me to click the bell to get all new notifications. I really am enjoying your teaching style. Quirky and fun. I think you’re my new favorite. After 30 years of doing nothing but the same thing off and on I got serious with the guitar about six months ago and I have learned a great deal with the advent of KZbin. However, I think this one right here is actually a good fit for me to go to my next level. I know this is an older video for you published in 2018 but I’m really glad I happened across it. Thanks again. Scott from Alaska! PS, like I said I know this is an old video but if you’re still giving away free stuff I’d love it LOL!

[@Lex52]

Another epic one Sean! Thanks

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@polymeris78]

You are the best Guitar teacher in KZbin!!!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@polymeris78]

@@seandaniel23 we thank you for your legendary teaching method. Up the irons!

[@MrBoazmelech]

That's a cool idea I'll definitely try it

[@seandaniel23]

Right on!

[@jamo6758]

Lovely guitar and playing.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@sonja_rademacher]

You are the best teacher I have ever known! Thank you for sharing this.

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

This was a pretty interesting and informative vid! Plus, playing mindlessly is my idiom. Or attempted, at least.

[@bossman8805]

You are a legend sean

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@lancelotlink6545]

This is very cool but I wish you would have spent some time talking about your right hand technique here. That's where the magic happens.

[@seandaniel23]

You're right! I need to do more of that!

[@johnlevis2766]

Love your attitude!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much John!

[@JimLarranaga5k]

This is simply the best lesson for Guitar Noodlers everywhere! Love It!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@gtrdoc911]

Sean, I'd have to say this was your best video ever. So pithy. What a cornucopia of information. BTW, try this rhythm. Pluck chord with thumb and 3 fingers on beat one, pluck simultaneously with 3 fingers on beat "2 and" then immediately strike strings with downward finger strike on beat 3. Lastly downward strike with fingers on beat 4 with immediate palm mute. Cool sound.

[@jasonfenter6424]

Not for nothing, but if you're whipping out major 7 arpeggios and progressing through the full chord scale of a key...you're not faking being good. You're good.

[@seandaniel23]

Fair enough :)

[@mustbreak70]

thankyou Mr Daniel

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@tonalambiguity3345]

I hope that little swipe at jazzers is tongue in cheek because the average swinger could play you round the park both technically and musically.

[@seandaniel23]

Got love for the jazzers.

[@Panda256]

I want that hoodie. Also: guitar tone. But mostly that hoodie.

[@seandaniel23]

Check out the merch store!

[@terrycrowder8430]

I’m into the keyboard 🎹 right now I wish I found u when I was playing the Guitar 🎸 lol. But I still enjoy the videos 😎👌

[@redalaska]

I’ve finally been playing long enough to actually understand this!!

[@mikel917]

I was immediately impressed with the tone of that D'Angelico so I asked what you were playing through ... you answered my question immediately haha.

[@davidtucker7442]

Great lesson

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@JohnnyFootwrinkle]

Cool lesson thx Sean! :)

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@sapelesteve]

One thing I can tell you for sure Sean is that I am definitely "mindless" when it comes to playing guitar. Great lesson as usual though................. :)

[@seandaniel23]

Keep the mindlessness going.

[@lukabanovic2937]

This vid made me chuckle, thank you for that

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching :)

[@GumboRyan]

4:06. Yasssss. Lol Great video! Thanks man.

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help!

[@tomrabbani]

The 2,5,1 is always my best finishing move. I know that because the ladies told me.

[@seandaniel23]

Always listen to the ladies.

[@stevedouglas7375]

I dig the first, "elongated" sentence. "Main Stage" (not Sideshow) is quite the wordsmith. Steve from Cali here wanting to say that this video and the information dispersed is spot on. I've never heard anyone --- "Trip the light fandango" --- on this subject. Being creative without trying to be creative. Drawing people into what you're playing without purposely trying too. I also dig what Sean plays. Reminds me a little of, "Amber" by the group --- "311."

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Steve! Happy to have made it to the main stage.

[@stevedouglas7375]

You're more than welcome Sean and much deserving of the upgrade in status. Sky is the limit!

[@dbszepesi]

*swoon* the tone of that guitar.

[@seandaniel23]

D'angelico for the win!

[@rickstearns7034]

Hey Sean, what exactly are you doing with the picking hand? And is it important to pick every note fretted. I’m basically a beginner so go easy on me folks.

[@ridgewell125]

I don't even play guitar but I watched the whole thing, great vibes man.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@sushilchakrabarty4574]

Hey sean this is love from India stay blessed and upload these types of knowledge regarding guitar

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I'll keep em coming!

[@davidhoxit4274]

Man you've got that guitar dialed in...nice tone! Great lesson, thanks

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@superflycatchermtb]

Great video, and great explanations and details on the first chord and Arpeggio, but I had trouble keeping up with both the logic and fingering of the follow up chords. wish you could slow that down a bit or clarify/simplify it.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll try and slow it down!

[@drutgat2]

That was great, Sean. Thanks very much. Hope your personal stuff works out.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! Don't worry, I'm thinking about it whilst I type.

[@drutgat2]

: )

[@Crablemet]

ever thought about doing some guitar course megavideo or a website or a small guide book or something? i learned so much from you because you dont bother with complicated and mostly uses theory and focus on theory useful for a guitar player and thats absolutly great. keep on going pewdiepie

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! I'll definitely have something up by the end of the year!

[@Crablemet]

im very looking forward to it your page is like some magic not evil version of the necromonicon but for guitar

[@pedrodiniz92]

I'd definitely buy a course from you. Looking forward to it.

[@pacmanfever5]

Since everyone here including me loves the tone of this guitar so much, please tell us what it is!

[@seandaniel23]

D'angelico Deluxe Atlantic!

[@Dave-ug9bh]

Lovely stuff

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for watching!

[@Rustyjamesman]

good stuff, I tend to mindlessly play jazzy stuff too

[@seandaniel23]

It's a sign of sophistication.

[@jck9763]

At about 10:23 to 10:30 I realized that you probably have an awesome Christopher Walken impression

[@seandaniel23]

Haha, I try :)

[@kungpaobuckaroobuffet7383]

Nice, I've been waiting for a why do i have to know all these chords video part 2. It took you a while, I almost had to fire you.

[@seandaniel23]

Just in time!

[@JohnPArgueta]

Brah. I mindlessly watched this at 3am and learned a quick thing about chords and shapes. Will grab the axe tomorrow and see what I recall. Cool shirt. Reminds me of That Pedal Show. 🤘🏼

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@jerrywoo2057]

Ayy I’m at 3am too

[@SecilyMadden]

Sean, my boy, you gotta let me come over and play that guitar!! It’s gorgeous🙈 and we will talk tonight about this amazing arpeggio!!

[@seandaniel23]

What up Secily!!

[@hwcdlimited5693]

More mindless guitar, please.

[@20003052]

fundamentally it comes down to the fact that you've practiced this enough to do it with out thinking. This happened to me last week at my guitar tech's store i was just playing a chord scale and playing the minor scale in between its was literally an exercise from one of my books and someone there was plug in man that sounds amazing lol. felt good but honestly i wish i was half as good as he thought i was hihi.

[@seandaniel23]

You and me both!

[@downhill240]

This is one of your best lessons ever! I'm on the way to Oz to pick up my mind now. Left it there for cleaning (nudge-nudge), if you know what I mean!

[@seandaniel23]

Hey oh!

[@Oilid]

This might be my next guitar!

[@seandaniel23]

It's a good one!

[@prajnadeep]

Great video as always. ❤️

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@tahoo2121]

What a delightful sharing. ...Waves

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@GJHamann]

Great lesson Sean. Now, do the same thing with the scale on the upper part of the chord, chord melody style.

[@seandaniel23]

Great idea!

[@EvilSapphireR]

I need to know the right hand technique you're using. Thanks so much for the video!

[@seandaniel23]

I'll try talking more about that soon!

[@VForbes]

Quality!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@boxcarb.johnson733]

Hey Sean, you are a guitar Guberud. Listen I am completely blind, but I love your videos and him trying to gain as much information as I can, would love it if you would speak a little more about the fingerings. I can’t see the videos but I am listening to your every word. Just saying thanks for the instruction bless you brother, peace.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for the feedback!! I'll try and do a better job at that :)

[@toddblenkhorn7675]

Boxcar B. Johnson dude, i thought i was the only one, i can see a little but have a guide dog. Blind guitarists unite.

[@jebcar9618]

How cam yall people type

[@bulletmastergaming4936]

Sean I love your vids, you are one chill dude. 😂

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@74dartman13]

I'm really starting to like those guitars!👍😎🎸🎶

[@seandaniel23]

Love it!

[@74dartman13]

@@seandaniel23 👍😎

[@Jbeliski]

QUESTION FOR YOU ON QUESTION DAY: Sean what would you think about the major sound and feel characteristics of the Les Paul standard as compared to say a Strat? I just recently rented a 3100 dollar Les Paul and it just sounds so good with TREMENDOUS sustain. Waduyathink my man? I play a Fender Jazzmaster with the wide single coils and I lOVE it but that Les Paul was a whole shift in sound. And what is your opinion on the middle pickup on a Strat? Do you use it or just seldomely? I think I am developing an unhealthy addiction to electric guitars. Thanks SEAN!

[@seandaniel23]

I'll talk about it next week!

[@walterweimer1333]

So clever!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks Walter!

[@inthemix]

Vegan vibes all over this video :)

[@seandaniel23]

Oh you know it!

[@timtheenchanterguitar]

@@seandaniel23 Wait, you're vegan? But I saw you eating cheese in one of your videos. Was it vegan cheese? (I refuse to say "nut cheese" just like you don't like to say "lick". :-))

[@ScatZacc]

You should see his 15 foot leather couch super vegan friendly I'm sure lol

[@ScatZacc]

And abalone frets isn't very vegan and or that tortoise shell pickgaurd very destructive to the eco system lol

[@MustafaBaabad]

J

[@hubieh3374]

Dang that Atlantic is beautiful!! Sounds pretty sweet too!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@barrygriggs4099]

This is so obvious but it’s GOLD bro ! Great lesson man!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Barry!

[@smileswrappedingauze]

it's kinda funny this guy is like "a guitar teacher.." but i totally think like this guy, too hahah. the way he is like "just do this simple trick, and you can really trick people into thinking you know how to play guitar.. with a little bit of actually knowing what you're doing.." especially the "how to sound like you know how to play jazz: write a ii-V-i progression with an Am. add some dominant 7 or add9 notes to the middle, & then come back to the 3x443x G dominant 7, and people will think you're a genius." but then i'm just like "oh yeah, that's what actually knowing what you're doing feels like...." lol.

[@seandaniel23]

you know it!

[@tedparker2164]

I love this as I have been working with your chord scale videos, arpeggios are next,( maybe) But exactly what arpeggio is this?? G7??

[@keiferwilliams]

this is a really good video! tbh all I want is to noodle a little with minimal effort :)

[@seandaniel23]

Then you've come to the right place!

[@mohammedadnan644]

Am a beginner and i get turned OFF evertime I see some one playing bar chord "the F one" flawlessly..🙁🙁

[@gdawgs101]

Tune your guitar down a half step until you build up the finger strength to easily and comfortably fret the chord. There will be less tension on the strings this may, making barre chords easier. Edit: also start playing some acoustic guitar if you can. It's a struggle at first but once you become comfortable fretting on an acoustic, fretting on an electronic will be a cake-walk

[@mohammedadnan644]

@@gdawgs101 I feel.that would be helpfulll🙂

[@Boobies92545]

It takes time just like someone who goes to the gym for the first time they can't pick up heavy weights . Practice practice practice

[@mohammedadnan644]

@@Boobies92545 hahaha..thats a pretty funny comparison 😆..Well, I also joined the gym today..Coincidence

[@toddblenkhorn7675]

It is the same process for everybody. You start off hopeful, then you think this is kind of hard, then comes the frustration, then the self-loathing, then the hatred, and recrimination… Then you calm yourself down and think I can do this so you try again… And you still can’t do it so it gets violent and you smash your guitar, then you set a fire in the basement, then you spend some time in prison and when you get out… You can finally play that cord and you realize it was all worth it. I assume that’s how it goes for everybody?

[@hilariovargas8682]

Its 5 am ...who uses their mind at this time..but I did have a good laugh...great video...thanks

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@FrankDoorhof]

Very nice and helpful.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much Frank!

[@robinbhairam7508]

This is great! How do I learn chord scales shapes, where can we find them .... loved this and you’re hilarious ... cheers buddy 😊

[@bazooka2139]

learned more in these 10 minutes than I have in the last 2 years....

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to hear it!

[@schubertludwig]

What beautiful tone you have, Sean! I’m sure a lot comes from your playing, but if this was played through your digital Fender, would you share the settings? I’d call them “Mindless Sean” ;P

[@jsmchief1]

Sweet hoodie

[@seandaniel23]

Feel free to get one on the merch store!

[@tomcat2]

Sean Daniel.....The People's music teacher.

[@seandaniel23]

I do what I can!

[@douglashill2860]

Sounded like Newton Faulkner’s People should smile more :)

[@daveyewart4289]

nice video

[@toddblenkhorn7675]

Exact same thing happened to me except I was thinking how am I going to get out of eating this spicy tofu dish or this veggie burger? On a sidenote I’ve never considered you to be aloof, I’ve always thought that you were more inscrutable… In fact I thought there is a dude who refuses to be scruted.

[@BeefNEggs057]

Todd Blinks haha I’m practicing my Scrution while I play mindless guitar

[@seandaniel23]

Inscrutable is good, I'm gonna start going with that.

[@kevinmeercat919]

What a great meaty lesson . Thanks a lot man .

[@seandaniel23]

Happy to help :)

[@thesimpleeastern]

And then if Mr. Stich was here, he would have mindlessly thrown a solo on top of it for this particular scale. Learning theory makes life so easy. You can come up with riffs on the fly and jam with folks.

[@seandaniel23]

Oh you know it!

[@lamgefyoutoob]

Can you do a video about the personal stuff you’re going through? It’s sort of a tease to mention it and not follow up.

[@seandaniel23]

Haha, coming soon.

[@mikegorski065]

Nice 2 5 1 Linch pin reference. Thanks

[@seandaniel23]

The ultimate progression.

[@philmorgan1982]

Hi Sean. I am starting to "get" scales and chords but still need some help. I wanted to practice the looping scales exercise over your Gmaj7 chord and B. But the minor and major shape we used on the last loop video don't seem to sound quiet right (moving the Am shape back to the 3rd fret) can you explain how to choose the scale for the chord? Thanks in advance. Also I know you can't tutor everyone one to one to don't worry if you don't reply. Totally ok. Cheers mate.

[@billydarico6180]

Some of the greatest players just play without thinking at all stonefree baby!!!!!!! You tube what’s that?

[@seandaniel23]

:)

[@mtadd]

Seanception

[@seandaniel23]

The best ception.

[@nicholighkun]

Where be the link for harmonizing with chords of the scale? Eye'd like to C that 1. EDIT: Nevermind. : )

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@emmanuelwolf6568]

Just subbed.

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!