How to play at the Guitar Store WITHOUT freezing up

[@kristianf1105]

I thankfully just discovered you Tim. YOU. ARE. Awesome!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Aw, thanks man! You're awesome too! Welcome to the channel!

[@thexnewyorker7284]

Great playing and lesson . Your tone is amazing . Clean and tasteful. Excellent vid

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Ah thanks so much, super glad you enjoyed the tone and love the 'clean and tasteful' comment

[@adamhoward2464]

awesome advice! Im amazed there aren't tons of practical lessons like this. Everyone has been in that situation where you freeze when asked the dreaded question "Can you play something?". Great lesson.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Thanks so much, super glad you liked it! If you've got other ideas you'd like to see me do in a similar theme just shout!

[@LostPlanet2024]

I’m starting to tour guitar stores as a series of mini gigs

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Yeehah! Go fo it!

[@MaxRadin]

The A13 and 9 chords sound really classy. Cool. BTW: don't do a Who song in Guitar Center. They get really annoyed when you smash up the guitar and poke it through the amp.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Ah thank you, yes I love them! Great comment on the Who song! Apparently it's the same when you do a Hendrix song and set fire to the guitar!

[@slohart]

One of the best lessons ever. Thank you!!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Thanks so much, wondeful comment!

[@guitardedimbisol6087]

3 note per string scales always give you something to play and also playing an unfamiliar guitar running through all 7 scales will definitely find if there's any bad or dead frets on the neck while getting you use to the feel of the neck, most people's excuse is I'm not use to this guitar I'm to use to playing mine

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Agreed, it's a great idea to play up and down the neck to find any problem areas.

[@MrPnew1]

Great strategy to save looking like a knob. Thanks Tim

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Haha! Exactly!

[@MrsGULCH]

Thank you very much for the video lesson! You have a real knack for teaching. I also noticed that you have individual Master Classes?? Thanks again.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Ah thank you. I was a school teacher for over 20 years so I guess that's why! And yes I do private lessons.

[@Hhenriette]

very nice lesson. great to have some help and insight for these dreaded moments. Thanks!!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Exactly! Glad it helped.

[@ClarenceM.-mg8rt]

nice lesson !!! thank you!!!!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

I'm glad you found the lesson helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelhockmuller4677]

Super cool lesson. As a lefty, I’m usually pretty safe walking into a guitar store😅

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Haha! Thank you!

[@Keepmelevel]

Great video… gave me some good ideas… getting back into more of blues oldies now. It’s hard to break out of the 80s riffs and dive bombs!😂

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Haha, I know that feeling! Did a lot of dive bombing back in the day! Thanks.

[@Keepmelevel]

@@timdaleybluesguitar101 I’m going into the next guitar store and playing the lead part of “In My Dreams” by Dokken 🤣 See if they take the guitar away from me… 😂

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

@@Keepmelevel Do it! Add in some Eddie dive bombs for good measure!

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

That's very good....makes a change from everybody trying to play Eruption!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

For sure!

[@jwilkinson341]

Another great lesson

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Big thanks!

[@joeayad2577]

Awsome stuff Tim hope to see much more thanks , good for a change someone that explains clearly in a relaxed unhurried way.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Thanks very much, lots more on the channel and in the pipeline!

[@dean828]

ES 335... the "ES" stands for "Electric Spanish" and the "335' stood for the approximate "$335 USD" it sold for when first introduced for sell in 1958... roughly equivalent to $2,8000 USD in 2024... and if plucking an ES 335 in a English guitar store, should a hot cuppa of Earl Grey be required on the side...? ;) Cheers from Kentucky, USA...

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

I'd love to have one from 1958! 60s ones have gone up massively in price in the last few years. I love mine. Cheers from Shropshire UK!

[@skintslots]

I actually thought the S stood for 'standard' but I am glad to learn the actual meaning.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Great progression!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Super glad you like it, thanks!

[@steve22933]

Great info. I'm tired of playing Mr. Bojangles. Thanks!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

You and me both!

[@uberjam-sam8512]

At first blush this seems like a silly lesson. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. I do the occasional gig and nothing sharpens the practice routine (and focuses the mind) like knowing you're playing in front of others. The fear of looking bad is in all of us; why not use it to our advantage and create a little recital for yourself? And if you don't have a gig lined up, why not create an artificial gig by planning a visit to a guitar store? I also really appreciate the lesson. Love the voicing a on the 12 bar blues, doing some Hendrix chops on a 1-6-4-5 progression is always great. Thank you!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Ah super glad you liked it! And totally agree, the fear is real! Much more pleasant experience if you know what to you are going to play.

[@steveo865]

Omg thanks for this video huge huge light bulb went off and u didnt even touch base on or mention CAGED❤❤❤ RIGHT OFF THE BAT IM PLAYING SOME KILLER STUFF WITH THE STUFF YOU SHOWED.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Ah brilliant, super glad it helped!

[@chapmanfx8104]

Solid ideas Tim thx always at a loss in the geetar store

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Big thanks for suggesting it mate. Fantastic idea!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a good weekend also do you have regrets when looking back in life ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Thank you, you too! I think everyone has some regrets if they are honest!

[@Hesohi]

When I worked at GC, we called loud in store players ‘wankers’. Especially if they didn’t intend on buying. (Some never even bought strings)

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

That's certainly one way of putting it!

[@wess674]

At what point does it become about the guitar you’re test driving and what it can do? You either have to be a Hendrix level player or have to practice a guitar store routine so you can just listen to the instrument when you get there.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

That's a good point. I have a few little things I run through on a guitar to see if it's worth buying. And it's important to run over a check list to ensure you get a an instrument you will be happy with. But that's a whole new video's worth of material! You don't need to be a Hendrix level player, just need that little routine so you feel comfortable when you are there.

[@skintslots]

Just wondering if you might need another amp Tim! 😁😁🎸🎸 PS I'd like to see you do some acoustic blues stuff too.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Great idea, I'm always short of amps! Haha! You should see the other wall, it's lined up with guitars. I need to set up my camera so it's facing that wall sometimes, just need to buy some longer leads! That would look cool on the vids. Acoustic stuff is a good idea, some delta acoustic stuff would be cool. Thanks!

[@GODemon13]

I always go with the tried and true Stairway to Heaven.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Obviously I start with that then do the blues stuff 😏

[@paulcooper-n2v]

Is the ES 335 your favourite guitar tim.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

No, I do love my 335,but really I'm a strat guy.

[@paulcooper-n2v]

You can't go wrong with a strat i love tele's also@@timdaleybluesguitar101

[@EyesFoward]

What pick strength do you use please?

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Strangely I use super thick picks. I like 3.5mm picks. The ones I use are called 'Chicken Picks' they are very bevelled so have a very smooth feel across the strings.

[@EyesFoward]

@@timdaleybluesguitar101 Wow thanks. I thought.1.8 was thick. All down to practice then. Thanks again. Would be grateful if you could do a lesson in strumming.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

@@EyesFoward I just got super used to them. They are the BadAszzIII model picks (terrible name I know!) Will definitely put strumming in my bank of video ideas. It's massively important. Throw me an email via my website if you want a few more tips on it. Cheers.

[@EyesFoward]

@@timdaleybluesguitar101 Will do

[@petset77]

Too many think they're auditioning at a guitar store.... and online. Maybe they should go the old school route and after learning to play on a used instrument, first form a band and actually play in front of people to learn that they're either good or more than likely not good, regardless of how many notes they can squeeze into a measure in time or not. Even a mediocre instrument will shine in a good player's hands. Sorry to sound skeptical, but it's a scam. Music stores like Guitar Center or the others would be out of business if the truth was told, and millions of dollars would be lost at the retail level. Most seasoned players will know if an instrument is going to be good by handling the neck and playing without volume at all. Playing in the living room isn't the same as performing in front of a large crowd. (or even small crowd). ....looking for specific tone is of course a different issue, so better music stores have isolation rooms for that endeavor. It still shouldn't be about wowing an audience while trying to decide on a purchase. People present aren't paying for the performance, after all, so shouldn't be a distraction.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

I know what you mean but this video was really about gaining confidence to play at the guitar store without feeling overwhelmed. Deciding on which instrument to buy would need another video!

[@waynegram8907]

When mixing minor pentatonic with major pentatonic to create "guide tone lines" lesson. I don't know how to make guide tone lines try to make a lesson about guide tones

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Yes guide tones are super important. Think particurlarly about 3rds and b7ths in major and b3rds and b7ths in minor. Doing that really outlines the chords. It's a good idea for a future video.

[@User58747]

I always try to shred as fast as I possibly can

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Always a winner!

[@User58747]

@@timdaleybluesguitar101 🤣

[@wess674]

👍🏾

[@cmdrlt.evildead5328]

This was totally me, until now hehe

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

You'll be a legend at the guitar store now!

[@JACKPAVAL]

A music store is a place to test out an instrument for potential purchase. Its not a place to put on a show.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

I agree, but I'm not talking about putting on a show, just playing with some confidence and having something to play without freezing up. And how to test the instrument to see if it's fit for purpose would be a whole other video.

[@theruminator7419]

Geezer's 'avin' a lawf!

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Sounds like me trouble and strife!

[@theruminator7419]

@@timdaleybluesguitar101 If I could do that anywhere I'd be like a dog with two tails my friend.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

@@theruminator7419 Haha, keep on shufflin', sure you will be able to!

[@snogglemonkey]

I've long since come to the conclusion that the louder guitarists play at the Guitar Center, the worse they usually are. .

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Now that's a good point! I'm sure we could draw a graph that correlated ability and loudness in the guitar store!

[@AlistairAnderson-q1w]

Why not try smoke on the water or intro to stairway allways goes down well.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Can't go wrong with those two! :-)

[@johnbuell8035]

Ha ha. And Mustang Sally as a fall back

[@AlistairAnderson-q1w]

@@johnbuell8035 ye that's a good choice

[@krismcguffin7940]

I always just play stairway ....lol

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Perfect!

[@TruthdestroysCONspiracy]

Thought it was just me 😂

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Reckon it's everyone!

[@johnbuell8035]

Why tf would you ‘freeze’ at a guitar store?

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

You'd 'freeze' because you don't know what to play. Happens to a lot of guitarists.

[@stupatrick]

Then play stairway to heaven just before they kick you out :)

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Always!

[@Wekkkojeffko]

Because what other people think of you is highly inportant. Imagine a hurt ego. It would be awfull. It would be inpossible to live further.......

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

I get what you are saying but the truth is people do care what others think of them, just the way it is. And it's nice to be able to play a t a guitar store with some confidence.

[@lucienne66]

All those guys that demonstrate amps and guitars and pedals seem to have a plethora of licks at the ready for that sort of thing. Either that or they’re really good improvisers.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Exactly! So just follow their lead and you're good to go!

[@tonyvoxu2]

Tim, you're obviously a more than decent player. But seriously, no. This approach panders to the idea that part of the reason you're there is to impress the staff with your repertoire and playing prowess. It isn't. So don't be learning a load of new jazz chords just to impress the bloke in the guitar shop, who believe me could not give a tinkers cuss for how well you play. The point of going to the guitar shop is to try out and see which guitars are suitable for you, so just play the stuff you've been playing at home or with your mates. It's not a performance and framing it as such is the problem, not a lack of repertoire. So if you're new and a bit unsure, just get down to that local music shop grab a guitar, and suck along with the rest of us.

[@timdaleybluesguitar101]

Thanks for the comment and I do absolutely take your point. However, many people generally dont feel confident playing, in what they consider - public, maybe for the only time and therefore freeze up. The video just gives them an idea that pre planning helps. I realise the the guys in the shop aren't too bothered but the individual almost always is. We all want to feel competent or not regardless of our audience. I'm absolutely not saying you are there to perform, merely trying trying to help guitarists feel a little more self assured at what could be an impromptu visit to the guitar store. Given this approach, they are more likely to ask to try an instrument and therefore make a purchase. Result being two happy parties!