Is there really a "secret" to getting better?

If you never see results from practicing, what's really going on? Is there some kind of "secret" that "the pros" swear by that helps them get ahead? Let's discuss, and I'll show you something in my own playing I"d like to improve.
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[@donyacos582]

Hey there Justin! So grateful you’re doing this channel! This episode in particular brought me to an epiphany… and can definitely relate to your working out analogy… you have to add more “resistance” to your practice to progress. I spend far to much time practicing what I’m already good at and not “adding any weight to the bar”. Thanks from Franklin, TN! Love ya man!

[@JustinOstrander]

EXACTLY! Awesome, man

[@UncleDanBand64]

I am 59 years old. I have been a guitar player my whole life. I started a fitness journey almost 4 years ago. I have got pretty jacked especially for my age. Totally natural just lots of protein and hard work. It also had a huge impact on my vocal and guitar skills. Honestly everything in life is better when you are pain free and fit.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

60 here. Spot on, train, and up the protein as we age!

[@UncleDanBand64]

@@brianmckenzie1318 exactly

[@frannyp46]

@tradbowtime. Totally agree. At 64, arthritis was creeping in here and there and I wasn’t really fit. I use the TRX trainer at home which was a total game changer and just raised the bar on my playing and stamina.

[@UncleDanBand64]

@@frannyp46 Absolutely

[@Tonetwisters]

It gets a little harder when you reach 76. But I'm working on it.

[@TexasJackdaw]

So glad to hear that you’re busy with work. And that you are developing this channel. I love your content! Rock on, brother 🙏

[@ED-jl1ik]

The concept of “choosing to suffer” is right on money! Everything great that I have ever done in my life has always started with making that decision.

[@777vim]

Funny. My bands playing a venue this weekend that we haven't played for thirty years. Am I thirty years worth of a better player? Not on your life...Should be fucking Joe Satriani by now...

[@danrourke]

After 50 years of just being a fun Strummer, I decided to actually learn music, and my first rock was ear, training and learning intervals, and after almost giving up, thinking, I can never really hear the intervals spontaneously all of a sudden one day my rock moved a couple inches, And then you just get inspired to keep pushing the rock

[@mrebysan]

Hi. Got advice for ear training intervals? It messes me up. I'm 53 .

[@danrourke]

@@mrebysan i’m using the Rick Beato ear training course and it’s really helping

[@mrebysan]

@@danrourke ok.rite on! I think the popular song idea is good. Happy Birthday Starwars Jaws Etc

[@PaulOwens]

Dammit man we don't want the truth. We want you to sell us $99 course that will make us play like Clarence White in 6 weeks.

[@MajorUpgrade]

Dude you are so right. My problem is that I can TALK about progress for a long time before actually MAKING any. Thank you for being vulnerable about this stuff, and inspiring me to not just work on my guitar chops, but also to move/eat right/work out/get up off of the freaking couch/go outside, etc...! Very inspiring and helpful! Keep up the great content!

[@fiddlefolk]

You're a favorite of mine Justin! You're a great player and a great guy... You're a humble person and secure enough to show us that we are all just trying to better as a person and as a player! Thank you!

[@TexasJackdaw]

I totally agree. Justin is a great source of inspiration for me.

[@wdbuchner]

This is sooo good...thank you Justin!!!

[@robertmellang6998]

I jammed last night with a group of guys. (Retired guys) Tomorrow I am going to Yoga. (I am in Silver Sneakers) I will be 69 on my next birthday. I don’t have a yard so I walk about five miles a day.(walking the dog) I don’t make a nickel playing guitar, but I still like it. (Not that great at playing) I always say have fun play guitar. I’am the youngest guy in my group. I just keep pushing the rock. It’s interesting. When my dog is fourteen, I will be 80. ⭐️👍🏻👌🏻😉☑️

[@lancenunez8252]

You can suffer the discipline or you can suffer the disappointment

[@romansson4005]

Whoa! Mind blown! Lance: you should trademark this phrase because Tony Robbins is going to run with it!

[@trevorclarey3336]

These are great , thanks.

[@warrenb79]

Came for the guitar tips and ended up motivated to go work out. Thanks Justin. 👍🏻

[@pabloyaya2773]

You’ve changed my playing and are a huge inspiration. Thanks for all the great wisdom and fun.

[@kmjansen]

I learned the pentatonic scale when I was 16yo and never progressed past that. Spent the next 20yrs noodling and wondering why I wasn’t getting any better 😅. I am now diving deeper into music theory and cleaning up my picking technique. Finally seeing a little progress.

[@Tonetwisters]

If you don't mind me throwing in my "testimony" garnered from 62 years worth of this stuff ... This might not apply to everyone, so please bear with me. I have found that getting better at guitar (and probably everything else) is all about increments and plateaus. As we practice, we are only slightly moving ahead, to the point that we might not realize we are moving ahead. Then, one day ... we have an a-ha, WOW! moment when you can all of a sudden, do something you have never done before. Those increments have added up and you "all of a sudden" improved. You think, "Wow, I am really gettin' good!" You play that accomplishment a while and you say, "Well, what was so hard about that? That was nuthin!" It's at that point where you have reached a plateau and you start back to incremental development. Hard work equals "a-ha" moments and a little joy. Worth the work ... AND I LOVE your sense of humor. And gravity will be defeated soon! Jesus is coming for his church! And dude ... now that I've watched your video ... you and I are the same person. You have a new friend, my friend.

[@edtaylor7816]

Absolutely Justin. As George Leonard said in his book Mastery, " You have to learn to love the plateaus...".

[@michael-varney-music]

I decided to do something about my picking, so I found someone whose technique inspired me and signed up for lessons. I’m learning from Anton Oparin and breaking down my right hand completely. My playing is broken, but with hard work I will build it back much stronger!

[@FaithHopeLove77]

Truth! Explains my guitar and golf game progression perfectly

[@sseltrek1a2b]

you don't accomplish anything meaningful in life without work, dedication, and persistence over long periods of time...period...

[@richardg5938]

Words of wisdom Justin. What more can I say? Of course I haven't followed them with my guitar playing 😢

[@fiddlefolk]

One serious question I have and it may be unanswerable and that is: How do you gauge what stylistic choices to make on recording sessions....Is it an instinctual choice or is it a stylistic choice? Do you think, How can I make this different? What is the mindset?

[@JustinOstrander]

That’s a tough question. I would say both, and it comes from lots of experience. We know generally what kind of song it is we’re working on, so that informs the choices pretty heavily. Direction from the producer helps a lot, too.

[@markinthemix6055]

A habitual thinker. OMG there’s others. Everyone at the office tells me l over think everything. Just subscribed and clicked the BELL. Keep the inspiration coming. 🤔😉

[@AdamWellsMusic]

You’re a philosopher who plays guitar. Like Alan Watts.

[@ghislain6313]

Great video thank you, I felt motivated after this. Pushing rocks when it’s hard. That’s what it’s all about.

[@Tonetwisters]

Yeh. It's called, PLAY (a lot!), and pay attention to what you are playing and think about what you COULD be playing with it.

[@shaneframe1]

Solid content.

[@bg9419]

Celebrate those few inches every time the rock moves. I get motivation from the small successes. Makes me want to work for that "next inch"! Looking forward to your course. I'm sure I've skipped some important fundamentals

[@ONealMusicStudio]

I spent my early career doing sessions in LA during the 80s until I simply got burned out on it. I was classically trained then on to Berklee. For me getting better was always about being pragmatic and consistently pushing myself to learn something new every day. I’m 64 now and still doing it. I remember coming to Nashville back in the early 80s to do a session at the old Columbia Studio A. It was fun. But I understand from friends there it’s changed a lot and become very cutthroat. That’s the way LA was and why a lot of guys left the town and the business back in the day.

[@Markyboogie]

This is such a Great Episode Justin! 🥇 just saying it how it is!!👌 everything you said mate. Perfect sense to me !Thank You for your channel.🤜🤛

[@Mudd1429]

Thank you Sensei, this was a truly moving video! I will be making the changes you talk about in fitness and in guitar practice! Gotta love the work!!

[@Czeskauskas]

Great video Man. For over a year I am in love with bass (after 20+ years of playing electric guitar) and I decided to practice it more than electric. I did not see a PROGRESS however at some point but learning songs helped and playing with Other people gave me a Proof that I am going Forward. If it comes to electric guitar playing I've been really unhappy with my skills but I've Decided to dive into stuff I am totally unfamiliar with. Isaiah Sharkey Patreon and his lessons help me to learn totally cool Licks and style of songs I do not know too well. But to be honest the worst thing about practice is that it's always not enough for me if it comes to results...despite that people around me see the PROGRESS and I know it's there..

[@hearpalhere]

Really dug this topic Justin, kudos again for being so open about your personal details. I can relate strongly to both the physical fitness aspect as well as the musical development aspect. For me, ear training has always been something that I didn't work on because I simply believed it wasn't something I could achieve/develop. I now see that it isn't true and am working on it regularly. Wishing you continued success in your fitness and your guitar playing too! Rock on!

[@johnmcevoy3598]

Something that I think helps is deliberate limitation. If you want to develop your alternate picking, eliminate every other type when you practice. Tape your fingers together if you have to. Force yourself to get your sound with that technique. It may sound like trash for the first few weeks, but you'll be constantly adjusting it until it sounds right, and once it does, improvement happens naturally.

[@edbernardmusic3599]

Legato and hybrid techniques are very natural for me but the strict alternate picking requires hours, days and weeks to maintain. It's very frustrating. And there's almost nothing worse than when I have been practicing it for hours and days and then I overplay on someone else's tune. Haha.

[@stevekoves9807]

Justin thanks again for the inspiration and motivation! Appreciate it, your spot on, again!

[@Guitaristforelife]

I've always been a strong rhythm player in all bands I have been in. Even while living In Nashville. Now I'm doing solo gigs on cruise ships so that has pushed we to become a better lead player using a looper. My rock is practicing with intention. Practicing with a tonal center and playing changes instead of just blowing through a pentatonic minor scale through the changes which can sound good to.. The rock is moving a bit and that is exciting for me and I have fallen in love with playing again..

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Justin also may the fourth be with you also today is my friends birthday ❤😊

[@PeteLamont]

Another great video! Solid advice on the practice front, especially trying to fit it around work and family. Also, never to late to start getting back into shape.

[@barrypilson2158]

After 40 years plus I've had lots of frustrating times, but every once and a while I have a great day playing , and it makes it all worth it.

[@IvorThomas]

Low time preference is the key. Bitcoiners know this BTW.

[@Reckingmachinerick]

Mountain biking the ultimate fitness. Plus fun

[@carlBigSpoonjohnson]

Hey JO glad you’re feeling good and keeping it real and healthy. Enjoy your channel! Cheers 🍻 🤘😎🤘🎸🎸

[@ac8704]

The "secret" to getting better is this course you have coming out :)

[@ekpil]

The secret is the amount of hours of practice one does

[@stephenstarr6388]

Thanks, I needed that. (guitar and weights)

[@corvinbrown9074]

I’ve never been more hyped for a guitar course

[@erwinaddison2030]

Can practice make a player more creative?😊

[@mikefetter3343]

I have been on my own fitness journey. Same scenario, I was tired of hurting all the time. 40lbs down in 4 months. I think it has made me a better player. I apply the same focus to practicing and learning new songs.

[@JustinOstrander]

Losing 10lb a month is awesome! Great work, man

[@deeperwithgod7932]

I absolutely love this talk! I get caught in the same rats that you do, and I’m sure many people do, where instant gratification or simple laziness. Keep me from arriving at the greatness that I know is possible in my life. You have really encouraged me, Justin! Thank you!

[@deeperwithgod7932]

Ruts not rats😂

[@bradruleman8253]

Great video! You might like “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield - aligns with what you are talking about. How you do anything is how you do everything - working out and pushing yourself flows into the discipline of practicing guitar.

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks! I’ll check it out

[@wardsnauwaert6709]

Great stuff Justin! I sometimes feel like practice and performing are very separate worlds. Are you deliberately implementing your practice into a studio/live performance or are you sticking to the stuff you feel more confident about?

[@JustinOstrander]

I deliberately keep the two separate

[@pierregaude1528]

For me practice resentment comes from the fact that it is not only hardly noticeable immediately it is also not consistent.What you may achieve one day may not or will not be achievable the next especially when you reach your own limitations. If you practice the same thing over and over you will probably achieve your goal at the expense of not practicing something else.So, set moderate goals is the key even if you wanna be a speed player start slow and use it as an investment like money...a bit at TIME FOR THE LONG HAUL and refrain yourself from negative judgements.

[@JustinOstrander]

I like the idea of choosing to see the commitment to consistency itself as the reward. Then, progress is a bonus

[@nohillforahighstepper]

I feel you. I have tons of gear that I don't use. I did the bar tour and county fairs several decades ago and have not stopped playing since. Now I own all the gear I wish I could have had when I was on-the-road. Guitars, amps, PA, home recording, loopers etc. but most of it only gets used once in a blue moon. But the only person that hears me is my wife. Self-doubt fuels my inaction. In my head, there aren't many people out there looking for a 58 year old, gray-haired, over-weight, never-was guitar picker. It's difficult to desire progress when you aren't visualizing a goal.

[@JustinOstrander]

Your last statement is spot on. I think it’s easier to start small. Pick one thing to focus on. You need to find that reward of improving one small thing. Then it starts to snowball…

[@jarettmorgan1535]

I’ve noticed your shirt sleeves getting “smaller” lately! Nice job deciding to reject the easy and embrace the difficult!

[@JustinOstrander]

Haha thanks! Man I just want to keep up with my boys for as long as possible. And to be able to do backpacking hunts out West. 🤠

[@M0M...]

I guess my problem is that I always say I want to be a better guitarist, so I do not practice something specific. I wonder if identifying what my "rock" is would help 🤔

[@JustinOstrander]

I bet it would! Pick one thing you want to improve.

[@thepartimemusician65]

Yes I know players that spend all their time trying to find the 'sound' in purchasing gear upon gear, playing the same friggin licks, they will never get there because they deep down hate their lame playing, it never improves.

[@JustinOstrander]

Can’t fix playing with gear, that’s for sure.

[@ajsrhodes]

What are the amplifiers on the shelf above the Sarge? It looks like amplifier chassis

[@JustinOstrander]

One is a reverb/trem unit; the other is an AC15 with vintage transformers

[@alafenetre81]

Sound advice! How do you get your barely dirty tone? I find it hard to get that sound at home. Is it a pedal or the amp? Thank you!

[@JustinOstrander]

All amp. I like the amp on the edge of breakup…hit the strings hard, more overdrive; lighten up the touch, less overdrive.

[@TexasJackdaw]

KZbin needs to add a love button (❤) button, because … 👍 doesn’t cut it for content like this. Sage words from a working pro.

[@Apeshoot13]

Sisyphus. Same.

[@kitgroovemachine]

Thanks for your tips ! When I retired I took up jazz piano to spark my originals with more chord opps. I found good teachers help a lot staying motivated. Now back to the guitar, learning never ends !

[@keenedgedesigns]

I gain a lot of insight from you. One thing you said a while back while critiquing a band was don’t solo over the vocals. Later I was watching an interview with Don Kelley and he had to tell JD Simo to not solo over the vocals! My problem is I don’t finish songs. I am in the process of trying to learn chicken picking and country guitar, and finishing songs. I am also fascinated by the way Nashville players such as yourself use arpeggiated chords in the rhythm section of a song as fills. Eddie did a lot of that. What is that called? Also are apps like Truefire a good way to practice with structure?

[@JustinOstrander]

I don’t know anything about practicing with apps. My method has always been to learn entire records from top to bottom

[@keenedgedesigns]

@@JustinOstrander Thanks, I will give that a try.

[@staggs5034]

Justin I was a bodybuilder for about 8 years. If you join a gym this is the split I would recommend Chest and shoulders super set shoulders Day off Back and calves Day off or light cardio Legs Biceps and triceps 2 days off 1 day of light cardio Repeat 6 meals a day. 3 small meals with food. between breakfast lunch and dinner have a protein shake. You’ll be eating about every 2.5 hours 3.5 hours.

[@bramb1er]

Bro! Found you channel while searching for Serus J reviews. I can totally see falling into a convo vortex if I ever ran into you. I too have been happily bearing the burden of being and “overthinker” as well. I just believe that I cannot commit to anything unless I understand it. The struggled with learning music, it seems, is the understanding has been removed from what is traditionally taught. It wasn’t until I found channels from the pros in Nashville that my progress excelled. Thank you for the humble communication of understanding and experience to show guys like me an easier way forward!

[@cajuncrackerranch7990]

Thanks Justin. Very resonating content. The body is meant to move. It takes commitment, focus, and discipline. The movement gets the blood, oxygen, and other flowing. Then leads to the healing and rebuilding the mind and spirit. It’s good stuff, but yes food intake is important on many levels. Keep up the good work. Be good to yourself and others. It would be an honor to work with you on a project. I could use your constructive criticism and I think you are a great guitarist and musician. Thanks for your channel and all its content. It is refreshing and inspiring. Peace ✌️

[@IndianNuclear1]

It’s so funny how different guitar players can be. I sort of programmed myself to always alternate pick everything, no matter the passage, sort of like a Steve Morse approach. BUT, now, after figuring out how to do Eric Johnson style economy picking, now I actually use a ton more downstrokes, more like a gypsy jazz kind of style without the super flexed wrist. So while you’re trying to move towards what I had been working on, I’m moving naturally more towards your style of playing, and I’m much happier with my playing now. What a great channel.

[@brianmckenzie1318]

Found your channel through Tim Pierce, subscribed! This video really resonated with me! My guitar practice routine is no where near my workout dedication. I need to fix that as I'm in an endless loop of not progressing, noodling on familiar things, and losing focus with KZbin guitar overload. I think I'm going to filter the "noisy" and pair down to just a few channels that actually teach and help me learn. I'm like a dog seeing a squirrel, I'm always going, "oh here is how to play that song, oh there's another cool song" and I end up wasting time learning tidbits for instant gratification and accomplishing nothing.

[@diggmo]

Kudos to you, man, for recognizing the need to take personal responsibility. And especially, thank you for so eloquently putting it out there. Move the rock! Motion is lotion!

[@ericskinner7355]

Great content. At my age, I can really relate. Exercise, intermittent fasting and whole foods. No sugar or anything made with flour will help. It's all relative to practicing a musical instrument! ✌️

[@skeres01]

Falling into the habit of playing what you know is a trap I often fall into. I used to devote the first 15-30 minutes of my playing to working on things I found hard. This has inspired me to reinstate that habit! Thanks for the great content. Sub +1.

[@DamonBates]

Well said. At 63 I used to race bicycles and have been a cyclist since I was 20. I have tried to apply that discipling to my playing not that I have more time to play...and yes...weeks of no progress and then suddenly boom, I can do it. Oh and I too have tons of lesson / info in my hard drive but execution is a different story...LOL. FWIW, you and and Uncle Larry (who I became aware of through you) are my favorite guitar channels. Thanks for all you do.

[@jerrycoursey7320]

Thank you for sharing with us You have an inspired me with my guitar playing. I am starting today with moving my guitar playing rock. Which is also the upstroke with the pick. I enjoy your playing & how you play just the right parts to fit the song 👍

[@adamcherry434]

Totally agree, I’m kinda getting around to learning to enjoy the delayed time of nothing happening. I keep thinking “ I want a be at this place in 6 months so I’m just going to keep going cos 6 months is gonna go by and if I have kept trying and I’m honest with myself - it will show . Effort over time = something better . Thanks , good stuff.

[@TomCPlus1]

I knew I wanted to play guitar at age 10 . . . hearing Jimi Hendrix play "Fire" and Clapton play "Sunshine of Your Love." Didn't get a guitar (acoustic) until age 18 . . . went to college with that guitar and learned a bit of Neil Young and Fogelberg. Learned I'd better not sing (ouch). Got my first job (engineer in manufacturing), and bought my first electric guitar -- 1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe and a silverface Fender Deluxe Reverb, used, for about $700 total (!!) Took some lessons, learned some basics . . . And then got married, had a family to raise, and the guitars went in the closet for 25 years. Didn't learn a thing more. All of a sudden I got Un-Married (ouch) and I realized I needed to pick up that guitar again and never put it down. And now, 20 more years on, I've been in a band, playing for people, that whole time and growing my playing that whole time. The biggest growth, I think, has been in the last 5 years (and the last one year has been exponentially steep). If I have 20 more years left, I know I'll have spent it wisely and will have made some good sounds for people. 😊😊🎸🎸🎶🎶

[@kevinmalone4109]

It is much like golfing! One good shot brings you back ! Buying new gear is also a parallel sickness in both . I no longer golf but will never stop playing guitar! Peace Brother!

[@davidsummerville351]

Check out earthing/grounding, getting bare foot outside. Your health is a fun addiction. As you get older sleep becomes more important. Good health feels so good. Instant gratification is a dead end road. Good episode, thanks.

[@SergioAureo]

We live in the era of instant gratification and we don't value small achievements as we should... Awesome, insightful video, Justin. Thanks.

[@leeasbury7273]

As a personal trainer, guitarist, someone whose hurt my back several times...and for me personally, I'm diagnosed with ocd,adhd, etc....( I say personally, as I'm not trying to lump you in with my own individual mental health issues at all!)...I say to you, great discipline! I have a child as well. A grown young woman. And you and I are similar in age. Great encouragement and such a true video. 👍

[@DannyCruzCreations]

Great timing! Heh, I was just practicing guitar earlier and then working out… then I ran into this video. I’ll force myself to change my guitar practice comfort habits.

[@edbernardmusic3599]

Playing guitar and fiddle for 40 plus years has made my right shoulder sit higher than my left. It sneaks up on you until it becomes chronic. I bought some cheap resistance bands a few years ago and do back exercises regularly, and what a huge difference it makes. I almost never have back problems now. I've lifted on and off for decades but I'm currently on a consistent three year run and it's literally transformational. Staying in your best possible shape makes everything in your life better.

[@VintageRadius]

Great video, a lot of this hits home. I was always a high achieving student with good study habits, but I never applied that discipline to guitar practice. For me, studying was a means to an end. Just playing songs on the guitar and having that time for myself has always been the “end.” But over time I do realize I’d enjoy guitar more by expanding my abilities across many areas like composition and understanding of theory

[@bobwassell]

In professional cycling, They call it “incremental gains”. Thanks for the video.

[@THEItchybruddah]

This was the two things I look for: fantastic AND inspirational! Thanks so much, Justin.

[@gavinmacfarlane7044]

What an amazing and inspiring video. Couldn’t agree more with everything you’re saying.

[@jameslifetimelearner]

Thanks for sharing your personal struggle. My case I enjoyed digging holes outside so I became a plumber, got married and put Music on the back burner. Now that’s over and I’m lucky to persue my hobby!

[@aaronlarsen7447]

I finally got a chance to practice a lot, and I have been getting consistently better, late in life. My goal is to write good songs in different styles. I don't have to be virtuoso, but i still try to play well. The broader the skill set, the slower the progress. When I focus on guitar, my playing gets better. My singing or lyric writing takes a break. So it's back and forth. If you want to be a guitar player only, in one style, you will see progress much faster.

[@robschaller9061]

People want to hear that its "just a gift" the bottom line is if you arent picking the instrument up and playing it daily you can NOT make progress. Most peoples issues is a lack of practice. The other thing is being precise about what you are playing. I don't have a true "practice" routine because Im too busy learning songs for auditions or songs that I have to play for a show that I have to play so my practice is learning the song and playing it either as recorded or the live version whichever of those the singer wants. Thats the other thing as a guitar player if you arent the front man you will learn and play what the singer wants to perform. Some of them will be songs you don't care for but you have to attack those with the same level of dedication to doing it right that you do with a song you do like.

[@heikkileppanen9605]

Words of wisdom Justin, so true!! Good stuff!

[@JustinOstrander]

Thanks a ton! Good to see you around here again!

[@edjones2199]

Old man, drummer here Same goes for me, bro Some days I just wanna burn my sticks and then out of the blue incremental uptick And the weird thing is, I never know when it’s coming! thanks for the content. 🥁You always make me think.

[@Bobletizia]

Justin justa thought . I never could get the speed picking either. Till some one said to me think of the pick as glued to the strings, for some reason thaat worked almost as soon as I started doing it.

[@JustinOstrander]

Very interesting!

[@Bobletizia]

@@JustinOstrander let know if that works for you.

[@michaelfranks2508]

I agree with what you are saying and actually took similar steps with my fitness when I was your age which was around twenty years ago. The benefits are now obvious. I come from a maths/ science background but also work in a creative industry these days editing video and I realised that I needed to protect my back etc from the effects of sitting for hours in a sometimes stressful situation. One of the things that helped me was learning Pilates which really built my core strength. The methods I was taught made sense to me as many of the exercises can be explained by physics. I became more aware of my body and how to relax and this really helped with my guitar playing. I was more conscious of my breathing and I thought much more about how I was sitting and how relaxed I was. This certainly helped although I will probably never be happy with my picking! Thanks for all your videos!

[@stevekottwitz4475]

Thank you, Justin, for your willingness to share your own incites and vulnerabilities. It truly does help all of us to at least think about our own situations and search for our own best tools to move the rock. I think another aspect to making progress is knowing how and where to invest your time. I think a lot of us question the best "route" to travel to get from point A to pint B and don't want to "waste" time and resources on what we feel could be the "wrong" path. For some this becomes an excuse, myself included. We just have to be willing to jump in and take some course of action and periodically re-evaluate if that course of action is both sustainable and effective. At age 53, and playing since I was 14- I still don't know how to navigate and "see" the fretboard. I can name the notes and generally the chords with a bit of thought. In one way this has forced me to rely on my ear, but it's not enough- so that is one huge rock that has been blocking my way forward for a long time. I'm intentionally trying to employ the CAGED system and the number system to part the clouds on my own playing. I don't yet know the best "way" to do this, but I am finally being intentional about it when I play- even though there are lots of moments of "driving off onto the shoulder".

[@gavinmacfarlane7044]

Fortunately new Justin Ostrander videos appear right at the top so don’t have to scroll 😂

[@sonnysilversmith2156]

Thank you for the encouragement, at 57 I’m totally practicing almost every day to playing fast on guitar and studying the whole neck, like you and many others I want to play fast, i always wanted to play fast for many years but it may seem late now, but what the hell im going to do it, now playing a 12 gauge set on my strat, no pain no gain!

[@fiddlefolk]

Sorry to comment again but I was a firefighter/paramedic for 20 yrs and being retired for 4 years, I have went from 195 lbs to 225 lbs. You are exactly right Justin! I lived the fitness world because it was a part of my job and even out of shape, I am probably way ahead of most but sitting on your ass like I have creates problems... Walking at a fast rate burns calories and keeps you from a caloric deficit! If you reach a caloric deficit and not eating then you will burn muscle and lose size and I know because I did this! I went from 220 to 173 in 3 1/2 weeks and it took all my muscle with it! I am back to 220 lbs but now I am much wiser! I will burn the calories and weight but retain muscle mass all because my meals equal replenishment calories....Just fyi!

[@robertfoster1339]

Nice video.. I over think too, There was an experiment called the marshmallow test. “ Do you want one marshmallow now or two marshmallows in an hour from now?” They studied the test subjects for many years… delayed gratification yields better results. Uncle Larry probably has the best right hand I have ever seen… whatever rock you are pushing, I wish you success in your endeavors.

[@brutallyremastered4255]

"Motion is lotion"- yes, otherwise we atrophy. Good advice.

[@reverendtobias]

Guilty