10 Things To Improve Your Playing

[@TheSoundofForgetting]

Not only an incredible guitarist but also an incredible teacher that keeps on giving! Thanks Jeff🤘🎸🤘

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!!

[@raydanielz9408]

Jeff and Tim Pierce, world class guitarists🙏🏼

[@JeffMcErlain]

An honor to be in the same sentence as my friend and legend Tim. Thank you.

[@tommythomas7944]

Great advice. Thanks

[@JeffMcErlain]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jerryhorton5708]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! This is a superb list which all musicians should take to heart

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you Jerry!!

[@TrevorrNourse]

Jeff, such an amazing teacher. Thanks for all you do.

[@JeffMcErlain]

I appreciate that!

[@ae3898]

That’s gold, Jeff! Gold!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks Bania!! 😂

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Always helps to hear what this man has to say. 🤙🤙

[@rskirk22]

Love this. Definitely great advice. One of the biggest things that really helped me advance my playing was playing with a backing track, ultimately with no tablature and no matching guitar track. This is the ultimate end goal when you play live in a band. You have to play in rhythm, know the music by heart and play it correctly, and be able to improvise to the track. Your courses on TrueFire really helped me with that.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you for this and your support!

[@rskirk22]

@@JeffMcErlain You’re welcome!

[@jamescrow9854]

Great advice Jeff from a beginner to advanced shredder ! Thank you, & Keep a Rockin.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks!!

[@ADHD_GUITAR]

Hey Jeff! This list was wonderful honselty. Especially the last part talking about practice things and making it musical. It's the main reason we learn, to make music. To be able to communicate with other artists and hopefully have our own voice. And practicing scales and arpeggios up and down just make you sound like...your practicing, like it's an exercise. Music is not an exercise. It's meant to bring joy and express yourself in many many ways. Beautiful stuff Jeff.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Excellent points. Thank you for contributing! I really appreciate it.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend jeff also happy first weekend of summer ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@JeffMcErlain]

Enjoy!!

[@danieli.9252]

Even though I'm not much of a guitar player, one of the best things I did when getting back into it a few years ago was struggling through the changes of a handful of jazz standards, including Autumn Leaves. Learning those basic 7th chord voicings (5th and 6th string root) has been so helpful to me for learning the notes on the fretboard, and understanding the intervals that make up those chords.

[@JeffMcErlain]

👊💥 makes a big difference!

[@stratman9449]

cheers Jeff.....yep...i go with you on those TWO things........creativity 1st...and then keep the "inspiration" up and work your butt off to get to the next level....sort of "out of ones comofort zone".....cheers and thx....enjoy your weekend....and next some time i'll watch your pink floyd upload from recently....

[@Cimmerian101-JH]

Hi Jeff, Great video, thank you. Gives a sort of road map for learning which we all appreciate. Could you do a video on how to go about learning songs? Maybe a course on it incl some open mic night staples to work on?

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great suggestions!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

One more thing ,a dive into 9ths 11ths and 13s would be super helpful to me

[@mcpappysgolden]

Those are easy man. Just get a Mel Bay intermediate jazz guitar book and run through it cover to cover - twice. You'll learn more theory and chords than 95% of guitarists know.

[@yogeshsahu5121]

Thanks a lot for Fantastic video.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you and you’re welcome.

[@davidwood351]

Great teaching. I learned that I’m not really an intermediate player after all, I have work to do.

[@JeffMcErlain]

We all have work to do!!!

[@shanewitty4934]

Great advice, really honest . It all takes time and investment in the instrument.

[@JeffMcErlain]

🙌🏻

[@azbluesdog]

When I started playing back in the 80s one of the first things I did was draw out the fingerboard and label the notes on every string. After I’d been playing for a year or so I approached an accomplished guitarist at the local music store and asked if he gave lessons. He said “no” at first, then something like “play a D note on the A string,” which I did without hesitation. He said if I hadn’t answered correctly he wouldn’t have agreed to teach me!

[@JeffMcErlain]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@jconstant]

Excellent advice as always, Jeff!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks!!

[@srinip]

Thanks for a great video! For a guy pushing 70 (me!), I'm trying to work less and enjoy playing more, but for some reason, your presentation does make all this exploration a lot of fun. As an adjunct to your point #10, one thing I find to be helpful - as well as truly frustrating - is to sit back and listen to a line (or a set of chord changes) in your head, then try to reproduce it on the guitar. I find this to be a particularly difficult thing to do. I just subscribed.😁

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks!! It all can be frustrating! But as you well know, the more you do it, one day you can “suddenly “ hear it. At least that’s how it works for me.

[@dsteele5530]

To your point of learning the note names forwards AND backwards, it messed me up going back until i realized the word BAGFED C was the reverse order. It helped me to always know where I was going up and down.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Genius!!! Never thought of that!

[@OilCanHarry2U]

“BAGFED”!!!!! …consider that as stolen

[@dsteele5530]

@@OilCanHarry2Usteal away!! I hope it helps you like it has me

[@beyondasphalt8879]

11 - Play EVERY day. Excellent list.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yes!! And thanks!

[@domdigirolamo3624]

I think I have about 90 percent of Jeff’s courses they’re really great .

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!!

[@TheNino37]

I liked and subscribed because you asked me so nicely. Also, I like your Truefire courses!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Sensei Jeff! A day late is better than no show in this case. Mahalo Nui Loa. I need to find the time to really put your teachings to practice. Thanks again

[@JeffMcErlain]

It’s all about time isn’t it? Everything is!

[@mikeandrulonis6553]

I'm in total agreement with your opinion about knowing music theory. I'm no expert, but I do enjoy knowing some theory. I understand Paul McCartney and Wes Montgomery couldn't read music or understand theory, but last time I checked, I wasn't either one of those gents. It's like saying "Gee, I'd love to be a great artist, but I don't really want to study drawing, color theory or composition."

[@martinfitzsimons9539]

you have a great tone.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!

[@twanto]

really upping your video editing game here Jeff ;)

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks!!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Beautiful Amps Jeff.Is this your dream Strat cause it sounds phenomenal.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks! It’s a great Strat for sure… the dream Strat is always the next one.. lol

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

@@JeffMcErlain Isn't that the truth

[@briancassidy6678]

OMG! CCR.Exactly what I would suggest. Especially for simple, locked in rhythm, you can't beat it.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Great minds!!

[@EdHeinzelman]

you spoke a bit about knowing what your right hand is doing. I have been fortunate that I have been able to do that and not worry about it while I struggle with my left. LOL. But just watching this video it is amazing how little effort or movement there seems to be coming from your right hand while the music is incredible.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thanks. Lots of practice and being pretty technique obsessed in the formative years. I used to be more of a shredder when I was younger.

[@jpalberthoward9]

Most of the people I've known who take the "I don't want to know anything about how music works, so don't try to teach me any of it or try to show me anything about it because I don't want to learn it because I'll lose all my soul and I won't have any feeling if I know what I'm doing" attitude are the same ones who will stubbornly insist on playing things that don't work or sound horrible, and then authoritatively state in no uncertain terms: "well, that's just the way I play it." These are usually the same ones who either play so softly so as not to be heard at all, or they're hitting hard enough to break all of the strings or tear the neck off of the guitar.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! Yup.

[@jpalberthoward9]

@@JeffMcErlain I should mention that every story I've ever heard about Stevie Ray said that he was a gorilla when it came to how hard he played, but he had control over it and he chose his strings accordingly, so he sounded great. When you play like him with .009's it usually doesn't work too well. I've made the mistake of letting those types play my instruments, and I usually end up replacing at least one string. They usually don't sound like anything close to SRV. Steve Martin had a great line: "I remember my first beer"

[@uberjam-sam8512]

What guitar player worth their salt isn't subscribed to this channel 😮another great lesson tyvm

[@JeffMcErlain]

Thank you!!!

[@TomCPlus1]

The easiest way to memorize the fretboard, that I discovered by chance was . . . taking the basic cowboy chord shapes (F, D, A, E, etc) and realizing that the root note of F is on the 1st string and the 4th string, so the same shape slid two frets up is G, two more frets up is A, two more frets up is B, one more fret up is C . . . !! Now I can see the notes on the 1st (high E) and 4th (D) strings! The notes on the 3rd (G) string are also easy . . . just realize that the root of the A-shape chord is on that string . . . so the A shape slid up to the 4th fret is B, slid up to the 5th fret is C, up to the 7th fret is D . . . and so on! For the notes on the 2nd (B) string, just use the D-shape little triangle chord. Now you have a guide for the B-string notes. Worked for me anyway.

[@JeffMcErlain]

👍👍👍

[@greenwoodroad9765]

I cannot find any flash card options out there to learn the chord notes (the whole ACE thing Jeff was mentioning) - does anyone know of any?

[@JeffMcErlain]

I’m sure there are some apps online. Honestly man, I made them myself back in college.

[@greenwoodroad9765]

@@JeffMcErlain that may be where I am headed... there seems to be a small market gap to exploit on ETSY lol Sidenote - love your stuff. You're one of the best there is at teaching this stuff

[@dlo23344h]

Exactly man. My favorite is Hendrix and for some reason ppl get the stupid notion that he didn’t know theory. Yea, he may not have been as versed as Pat Metheney or someone like that but c’mon.. you don’t get that good without knowing the theory behind some things

[@JeffMcErlain]

Makes me crazy!!!

[@mcpappysgolden]

How do you drill the notes on the neck? Any tips? Anyone?

[@JeffMcErlain]

Make flash cards! That’s what I did years ago.

[@TomCPlus1]

The easiest way I discovered by chance was . . . taking the basic cowboy chord shapes (F, D, A, E, etc) and realizing that the root note of F is on the 1st string and the 4th string, so the same shape slid two frets up is G, two more frets up is A, two more frets up is B, one more fret up is C . . . !! Now I can see the notes on the 1st (high E) and 4th (D) strings! The notes on the 3rd (G) string are also easy . . . just realize that the root of the A-shape chord is on that string . . . so the A shape slid up to the 4th fret is B, slid up to the 5th fret is C, up to the 7th fret is D . . . and so on! For the notes on the 2nd (B) string, just use the D-shape little triangle chord. Now you have a guide for the B-string notes. Worked for me anyway.

[@mcpappysgolden]

@@TomCPlus1 Thanks for your reply. I understand all of that, but I can't grab 'em fast all over the neck the way a pro can. I haven't had enough discipline to really drill the notes - in the way I used to drill vocabulary words when I was in school. I'm glad I have the vocabulary I do, but I wish my dad had let me start playing the guitar and develop my GUITAR vocabulary. I had to play the trumpet until 9th grade! At 54, it's probably too late for me now.

[@TomCPlus1]

@@mcpappysgolden Yeah, hell, you're practically a fossil. . . . after fooling around with guitar as a teen, I didn't start playing seriously until I was 48 (joined a band that year too and still in the same band). And now I'm 68 and can play. People just assume I'm 54. 😎 And I know my fretboard notes. It ain't about understanding how it works, it's about seeing that D-shape with the tip at the 10th fret and *knowing* "That's A".

[@mcpappysgolden]

@@TomCPlus1 I feel like a fossil bro! I was about to tell you my life story here, but thought better of it. Suffice it to say, I have never achieved what I hoped and thought I was capable of. Pretty late in the game now. This notwithstanding, I am certainly enjoying watching Tom bukovac, Tim, and Jeff. KZbin is such a "godsend" to professional musicians who watched the sea of the musical industry dry up at their feet. Maybe the world will wake up one day and realize that "hip-hop," or whatever the fuck they call that garbage is not music?

[@boogiegen]

Explore, create, learn, have fun. All at once.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yup!

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

World's most dangerous guitarist.

[@JeffMcErlain]

😅. Thanks!

[@stratman1021]

Playing covers is my weakness. Improv and jamming is where I shine.

[@jeffharper2661]

What if you want to learn the notes on one string and you are the type that you have to memorize all the natural and sharps and flat on that one string? I am a very beginner and as long as I have been trying to learn things are just not clicking!!!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Just as I said memorize the natural notes. No sharps or flats on one string at a time. Take your time. Use the fret markers to your benefit. Once you feel comfortable with them think about just sharps or flats.

[@stratman1021]

lol NBC Peacock. "The More You Know"

[@LenProbert]

This was great, but did I miss number 8?

[@JeffMcErlain]

mmmm who's counting?

[@stevefossen6853]

Me too.

[@JeffMcErlain]

It’s there. Watch again!

[@mkrj2576]

Thanks. Good advice. I’ve been playing for about thirty years, practice a lot, but still only a mediocre guitarist. Not a bad entertainer though. Anyway, I liked your video.

[@JeffMcErlain]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@bazilbrushrocks]

I scored pretty high on that list. Ur sure I have to know where ALL of the notes are on the neck tho?!

[@stevec9972]

Just up to 12th fret, Above that it's replicated. Seriously though for the time & effort involved, the benefits it gives you make it very worth while.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Yeah. Pretty sure…😉

[@stratchoker8765]

👍

[@JeffMcErlain]

🖖🏻

[@jloch9312]

I would have loved to hear that John Cleese impersonation 😂

[@JeffMcErlain]

I’m really bad at impersonations, and accents!

[@MrMinddoctor]

Jeff I have an answer to your tricky question about when does knowing less make you better at something. "Talking shit" my man! the less I know about a subject the greater I am talking shit about things. This answer is a prime example. I have no idea what I am talking about, so I have confidence to express a load of crap pretending I know how to answer the question. Paradoxical I know, but then is it really? I know absolutely nothing about talking paradoxically and yet here I am spouting shit about it as if I do! I have no idea if I proved my point or disproved it and that's about the only honest thing I can say about it.... I like guitar theory by the way, I think it's exciting as there is always more to learn, it's a fallacy to believe it is dull and boring. It just highlights a lack of understanding, which can be remedied by study.... kinda simple really. and simple I know a huge amount about!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

[@MrMinddoctor]

@@JeffMcErlain Damn, I wish I had known about that before I decided to open my mouth, I could have saved myself looking like a dumbass!🙀

[@JeffMcErlain]

@@MrMinddoctor lol!

[@wmot206]

Some I do well; some not so well. Great reminders - thank you, Jeff! (Rule 11: don't be Bluto?)

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha!

[@richardjorgensen1291]

Why, do people play a really slow tempo when demanstraiting melodic playing? I am not a sherdder, but you can meldicly at any tempo. I don't understand , why so slow?

[@JeffMcErlain]

Because I’m teaching and demonstrating. I have no idea of the overall level or the viewer. If it’s too slow for you, you can speed up the video in the settings!

[@joshigh]

Are you sure just buying a new guitar or amp won’t do the trick?

[@JeffMcErlain]

lol. Sometimes it does…

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

He’s got the worst student…..Me! I own tons of his DVDs, plus two of his “Teachable” lessons (including the current “Melodic Soloing” one he mentioned here. But I’m a miserable student.

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! Thanks for the support!!

[@JeremyChildress]

What if your 54 and your memorization skills suck?

[@JeffMcErlain]

One sting at a time!!

[@JeremyChildress]

@@JeffMcErlain Thank you

[@billhansen9]

Since when does knowing less about something make you better at it? That IS BS. Every time I learn some new theory concept, it opens up a new door!

[@JeffMcErlain]

Amen!

[@sgtrutters5892]

Only one 'number 9'?!? 😢😂😂😂😂

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha!! Finally someone caught that!

[@joeurbanowski321]

Thanks for bringing attention to the ridiculous notion that knowledge stifles creativity..! I think that notion was started by a lazy person..🙏🏻

[@JeffMcErlain]

Ha! Right? I rarely come across this in any other field except blues and rock guitar.

[@ae3898]

As someone who spent 27 years in American K-12 public education I’d have to say that unfortunately this anti-knowledge prejudice is the default view of many educationists as well. I have also encountered it in many forms of American religion as well. But try that in aviation, nuclear engineering, or dentistry LOL.